Charities have been around for a long time. People always need help, but I believe that charitable services are busier now than they were just a few years ago. These are a few reasons I give to charity now more than ever. The revealing statistics will also help you decide how you want your money to change the world.
1. Global Warming Is Getting Worse
Climate change is an issue that’s front and center for many people globally. The United Nations recently announced that the world is on track to double the 1.5 degrees Celcius limit agreed upon in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Worsened weather systems and rising sea levels affect everyone, especially impoverished people.
Third-world or low-income communities don’t have the resources to rebuild after climate disasters or fortify against future weather patterns. When I budget for my charitable donations, I always ensure that organizations assisting impoverished communities suffering from global warming are on my list.
2. People Are Still Grappling With Depression
Recent world events have influenced more people to feel depressed. Climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, wars and other catastrophes make the future seem bleak. People have lost loved ones, careers, homes and dreams. It’s no wonder that in 2020, there were 130 attempted suicides daily in the U.S. alone.
Access to mental health support like therapists or treatment centers is out of reach for many people due to cost. Charities that support suicide survivors or people living with depression close that financial gap.
3. Medical Bills Are Bankrupting Families
The medical system is still an enormous financial stressor for anyone seeking help. It’s an especially difficult system to navigate for parents of kids with cancer.
The best way to help families fight a childhood cancer diagnosis is by donating to charities covering their bills. Organizations like Four Diamonds use donations to pay 100% of medical bills for kids fighting cancer at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. It’s an incredible financial relief that keeps families in their homes. I find comfort in knowing that my donations remove a significant portion of stress during each family’s most challenging time.
4. More People Are Falling Into Poverty
The U.S. Census Bureau recently found that the number of people living in poverty jumped by one percent in 2020 after five years of that same number decreasing. Factors like the increasing cost of living and stagnant wages force people below the poverty line, but donating to charities is one way I try to change the world.
Underserved communities can get help from charities providing things like:
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Food
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Living necessities
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School supplies
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Residential construction repairs
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Transportation
Donating to an organization that focuses on one or more of these critical efforts causes a positive ripple effect in the country. Given that 40% of us are one paycheck away from poverty, it’s crucial to remember that impoverished communities are deserving of help, no matter their circumstances.
5. Child Hunger Is Increasing
Children can’t help themselves much due to their age. They don’t have a choice if their parents or guardians can’t afford groceries. They can’t find a solution if their school’s budget shrinks and cafeteria meals get more expensive than they can afford.
Between 2019 and 2020, an additional two million kids became food insecure, increasing the total to 12 million children. With resources like advanced child tax credits and economic impact payments disappearing as the country recovers from the recent pandemic, that number will likely rise. When I reflect on why I give to charity now more than ever, I think of the kids going hungry who are powerless to change their situation.
6. College Tuition Is Rising
People like to frame going to college as a personal choice, but the job market indicates that it’s not. A recent study found that 65% of jobs require either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. Simultaneously, the cost of one year of college has risen an average of 180% between 1980 and 2019.
People who can’t afford to pay tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for a four-year degree don’t have equal access to employment opportunities. Many also choose to avoid that much student debt. Either way, financial gatekeeping prevents people from breaking cycles of poverty or improving their quality of life. I donate to charities that provide scholarships or financial aid to help make the system a tiny bit fairer.
Give to Charity More Than Ever
There are so many reasons I give to charity now more than ever. Wherever you look, people are suffering. Charities can minimize the impact of injustices, whether that’s because people can’t afford food and shelter due to stagnant wages or medical care for their kids. It makes me feel better knowing I’m doing what I can to make the world better.
