Give More

By: Anne Consroe

Striving to give even “greener” gifts this holiday season? Why not give a gift of a donation? Many charitable organizations offer printable or mail-order cards when a donation is made around the holidays.

Heifer International strives to end hunger through charitable gifts of livestock and resources. Following the proverb “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” Heifer uses livestock to change the lives of countless people worldwide. Recipients are taught how to care for the livestock, and reap the benefits of milk, eggs, or fur. They receive nutrition they otherwise would have gone on without, and many have the opportunity to sell excess eggs or milk (and profit) for the first time in their lives. Recipients are also instructed to spread the wealth after their animal has procreated, by giving offspring to their neighbors. Communities as a whole crawl out of poverty.

Sustainable Harvest International provides nutrition, education, and economic development to needy families in Central America, while reforesting endangered natural resources. This season, reforest a family farm, provide a woman with a small business loan, or plant gardens and trees. With donations starting at only $25, Sustainable Harvest International provides training, tools, and seeds to overcome poverty and spur community development.

This season, instead of buying something that will sit in a closet, give your loved ones charitable gifts that will make a significant and unforgettable impact in lives across the world.