Three Ways To Give Back During The Coronavirus Pandemic
/Philanthropy is a beautiful practice to add to your approach to money. I view money like water. It is meant to flow and nourish all communities. Otherwise, it becomes stagnant and can wreak havoc.
As the Coronavirus continues to spread, the economic impact is mounting. Wedding planners, event-based business owners, Lyft drivers, hourly-wage employees, and many more groups are facing unexpected financial turmoil. Our most vulnerable economic communities, those in low-wage hourly based positions are being squeezed the most. Many companies are asking their employees to work from home, but those who earn by the hour are not able to make money. Furthermore, many of them do not have access to paid sick leave.
If you are in a financial situation to do so, I encourage you to donate to a cause that is supporting members of our community who are being financially devastated by this pandemic. Before deciding on a cause, be sure to do your due diligence to ensure that it is a legitimate claim and/or organization. Sadly there are scammers who will take this opportunity to steal money, but with some research, you will avoid being a victim of their criminal activity.
During times like this, we are reminded to be grateful for nature and community.
Three ways to give back during the coronavirus
Donate to freelancers who have lost gigs. SXSW, one of the largest conferences, canceled it’s the annual event this year due to the coronavirus. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of freelancers and small business owners who count on this revenue as a part of their business. After the cancellation of SXSW, a website was created to document the lost revenue. Videographers, DJs, photographers, caterers and more reported their lost earnings of $1,000 to $10,000. The total lost revenue is over $2 million. Each submission includes the individual’s social media account and Paypal, Venmo or Square account if you wish to make a donation. I highly recommend taking quality time to do thorough research on the individual before you donate. You can check out the link at www.ilostmygig.com. Remember to do thorough research on the donation request before giving your money.
Donate to and/or spend money at small businesses. Independent fitness studios, local coffee shops, restaurants, and other small businesses are being severely impacted by the loss of foot traffic. Continue to support your local community through donation efforts or visiting the establishment and purchasing items. You can also check out KIVA to fund a zero-interest loan geared towards a small business owner.
Donate to Modest Needs. Modest Needs is a non-profit organization that raises money for families going through financial hardship. There are a lot of parents who do not receive paid sick days or will not receive payment because they are paid by the hour and their companies have closed the building. This is especially true for all of the employees that work at the arenas during the NBA season. Again, I encourage you to not solely rely on my word or on others to determine if an organization is legitimate. Conduct your own research and donate money as it feels right to you.
