Ideas for anonymous giving?

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I am looking for ideas on how I might give out gift certificates anonymously … how do I identify people who would benefit from it?

My idea is to buy gift certificates to a local grocery store for amounts of $20 or $25. They are not huge amounts but I remember how an extra $20 could be a big help when I had a young family and lived on a tight budget. I think I could afford to give out about $100 worth a month.

I just don’t know how to make it happen - I’ve thought about asking the grocery store if the checkout clerks might discretely hand them to customers who they know are in need, but I’m not sure the store would want that responsibility.

So I’m kind of stuck and would like to know if someone has a great idea for me on how to implement this :cool:
 
LPS said:
I am looking for ideas on how I might give out gift certificates anonymously … how do I identify people who would benefit from it?

My idea is to buy gift certificates to a local grocery store for amounts of $20 or $25. They are not huge amounts but I remember how an extra $20 could be a big help when I had a young family and lived on a tight budget. I think I could afford to give out about $100 worth a month.

I just don’t know how to make it happen - I’ve thought about asking the grocery store if the checkout clerks might discretely hand them to customers who they know are in need, but I’m not sure the store would want that responsibility.

So I’m kind of stuck and would like to know if someone has a great idea for me on how to implement this :cool:
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Not a bad idea, but there is only one way I would do it: via your parish St Vincent de Paul chapter. And if your parish doesn’t have one, it should.
 
LPS said:
I am looking for ideas on how I might give out gift certificates anonymously … how do I identify people who would benefit from it?

My idea is to buy gift certificates to a local grocery store for amounts of $20 or $25. They are not huge amounts but I remember how an extra $20 could be a big help when I had a young family and lived on a tight budget. I think I could afford to give out about $100 worth a month.

I just don’t know how to make it happen - I’ve thought about asking the grocery store if the checkout clerks might discretely hand them to customers who they know are in need, but I’m not sure the store would want that responsibility.

So I’m kind of stuck and would like to know if someone has a great idea for me on how to implement this :cool:
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Good idea but definitely not through checkout clerks. That is putting temptation their way to keep the certificates, or give to family or friends. Talk to your priest for advice on how to do this.
 
I agree, talk with your pastor or parish secretary about ideas on how to do this.
 
If you know of someone in need, you could always send it by mail with a computer-generated label and no return address. You could attach a sticker or hand draw a smiley face or print a simple greeting on the envelope (but disguise your handwriting if needed) so they could tell it’s not regular commercial mail. I suppose there’s a chance it could get lost, but over the years I only know of one item I sent that never arrived at its destination.
 
Maybe leaving them on car windshields if you happen to see a nice family at church or out somewhere.

It’s a very nice idea you have 🙂
 
LPS said:
Unfortunately, we do not have one. 😦
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That is a shame, every parish should have one.
Go to a surrounding parish that does, it is certainly the best way to accomplish your aim, IMO
 
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