Lenten Almsgiving!

[Ice_nine]

Hello friends. Alms giving is supposed to be part of Lent right? I thought I'd make a thread where people can post their favorite charities and their experiences with them, if applicable. Maybe to spark ideas if people want to give time or $$$.

 

If any of you knit or crochet there is this wonderful organization called Mother Bear Project (http://www.motherbearproject.org/) that donates stuffed bears to children affected with AIDS in Africa. I've sent a few in before, and it's crazy to see things that you've made in the hands of kids who don't really have much.

 

 

Also, does anyone know of a really solid organization that builds wells? I'd prefer it to be a Catholic charity but it doesn't have to be. 1 billion people in this world don't have access to clean water, so if you know of any reputable organizations that assist with this, shout it out!

[Spem in alium]

I am so happy to hear about Mother Bear! I am a keen crocheter and have actually been looking for some charity projects. :)

 

I have two charities that I like most. The St Vincent de Paul Society, who I've been volunteering with for almost ten years, is awesome. I mainly help with visiting people in crisis situations - needing urgent help with food, paying off bills, etc., and sometimes collect and package donated bread that we take out to these people. I volunteer through my old parish, which provides assistance to a particularly disadvantaged suburb nearby. This past Saturday we visited 14 homes in that area, and sometimes the list can be as long as 20 visits (or more).

 

Also, the Order of Malta. They have a drug and alcohol detox facility here, and I've gone a few times to help prepare lunch and spend time with the people there. It's really incredible who you can meet. Also volunteered at their Masses for the sick - as an usher and greeter, mainly.

 

[Anomaly]

CRS.org Catholic Relief Services provides water and sanitation around the world.

[beatitude]

Also, does anyone know of a really solid organization that builds wells? I'd prefer it to be a Catholic charity but it doesn't have to be. 1 billion people in this world don't have access to clean water, so if you know of any reputable organizations that assist with this, shout it out!

 

I know an EXCELLENT charity that does exactly this, Wells for India. Although the charity itself isn't explicitly Catholic, one of the co-founders is a Catholic, and I've met her and heard her speak about the project - the idea sprang from her faith. They aim to provide impoverished rural regions of India with decent water, and I know they have a special concern for the Dalit community (people who are classed as 'untouchable' in the caste system). Dalit women often have to walk for miles to get water because they aren't allowed to share wells with people of higher castes, and they are at risk of being attacked or sexually assaulted on the way. When the co-founder was telling us about their situation I was reminded vividly of the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well - technically he wasn't supposed to accept drinks from her because it would have been a pollution according to the religious laws of his day. Now the Dalits are humiliated and labelled as pollutants in the same way. I think supporting Wells for India would be a great act of mercy for people in this situation, as you're not just helping them to access clean water, but helping them to retain some basic human dignity.

[Norseman82]

Are you looking for local or beyond local?

 

If local, then +1 on St. Vincent DePaul Society.  Also, your local Catholic Charities. 

 

For beyond local, there is also the Archdiocese for Military Services (www.milarch.org) or Iraqi Christian relief (www.iraqichristianrelief.org). 

 

Another thing to consider if you look to give direct alms to homeless people you meet on the street:  does your parish have a Manna program?  One can purchase gift cards (to a place that does not sell alcoholic beverages, such as Subway or Dunkin Donuts), with a portion going back to the parish or school, and the cards can be given to the homeless, thus "killing two birds with one stone". 

Edited February 23, 2015 by Norseman82