The holiday season may be over, but the spirit of giving doesn’t have to be. While we’re halfway through the school year and our bank accounts are showing it, there are many ways to give that don’t require your wallet. Here are the six easiest ways to give back without pinching your pennies.
1. Give blood
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds there is someone in the United States that needs blood. The actual process of giving blood only takes about 10 minutes, and just one pint of blood can save as many as three people’s lives. While it’s estimated that approximately 37 percent of the U.S. population can give blood, only about 10 percent do. What’s a better way to give back than to give someone else a chance at life?
2. Donate your hair
For those of us that can’t give blood, donating your hair is also great way to help out. Charities like Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Wigs for Kids and Locks of Love all focus on this effort — giving individuals suffering from cancer, alopecia and other hair-lessening diseases their own wigs. Though the various charities have different requirements the kinds of hair they accept, the donated ponytails should generally be between 8 and 12 inches, should not be chemically treated and should not be grey. It should be noted that some of these charities charge patients for wigs while others don’t — so make sure you do your research!
3. Donate clothes, food, etc.
There are plenty of other items you can give to charities around the U.S. From clothing to food to books, both local and national organizations give back to communities throughout the year. Rather than letting your old things sit around, why not let them be new for someone else?
4. Volunteer at a food bank, local shelter, etc.
Your time is one of your most valuable assets, and volunteering at a local charity is a great way to see the direct impact it can have. To check out which organizations are by you, head over a website like Volunteer Match — which can connect you to organization leaders in your area. To ensure the nonprofit you’re interested in volunteering for is completely credible, Charity Watch provides detailed ratings and information regarding over 600 different charities across the U.S.
5. Pick up litter and recycle
If you don’t feel like getting involved with a local charity is right for your schedule, cleaning up the world around you is an easy and self-directed route of giving back. Whether you choose to clean up a local park or just sort your recycling and trash at home, the environment is seriously in need of our help and action. According to Boston College, the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year — including approximately 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper. Making an effort to change daily routines can have a big impact.
6. Use click buttons
Using click buttons to donate only requires one thing — a click. Through websites like The Animal Rescue Site, simply clicking a button will donate to the cause of choice. Clicking these buttons leads users to a page with advertisements on it, which then causes the advertiser to donate a certain percentage per page click. There has been some debate about the impact of “clicktivism,” but the sites listed above are all run through CharityUSA— a parent organization that donates 100 percent of the click-raised money to well-known partner charities. For the full list of CharityUSA sites and partners, check out the index here.
Happy giving, Collegiettes!