“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
The holidays are here again, and many of us are tired already. Have you ever been tired of searching for the perfect gifts? My family is the kind who buys what they want, when they want it; so by this time, I’m out of all ideas. But this year we said no to consumerism and made a change.
This year, instead of physical gifts, we are donating to causes and organizations that the other would want to support. It can be local, national, or global, but we want to see people thrive in a world that stifles. We invite you to join us in this new tradition! Check out CSA’s curated list of organizations to glean some ideas of causes you might want to consider.
Bless At-Risk LGBTQ+ Teens
Here is an opportunity to bless at-risk LGBTQ+ teens this Christmas:“EQUIP is hosting our 4th annual Christmas Care Package Party on Tuesday, December 14th at 7 pm CT. Each year we assemble and deliver care packages to LGBTQ+ teens in foster care or experiencing homelessness. Come to the party in-person at Church of the Redeemer in Nashville, TN, or join virtually over Zoom to learn about the LGBTQ+ teens and students who will receive these care packages and to hear more about what EQUIP has been up to this year.” Get more information on how to give, whether in person or online.
Support Living in Harmony with the Land
We recently featured an article by Randy Woodley about Indigenous heritage, identity, and Christian faith. Randy is a Cherokee descendant and co-sustainer of the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice, which “focuses on developing, implementing and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices. … We have created a center that embodies educating mind, soul, and body to fulfill our mission of living in harmony with the land, using North American traditional Indigenous knowledge, wisdom and practices as a guiding model.” Learn how to support this important ministry.
Support Refugee Communities
As the Biden administration raises the maximum number of refugees that the United States will admit, perhaps you have new neighbors around the corner. Resettlement agencies, like the Episcopal Refugee Network (ERN), are in need of support when federal aid is not enough in areas with high cost of living. “Doing business as RefugeeNet, ERN is a non-profit organization that has been helping the refugee community for over 20 years. In their effort to escape war or persecution, refugees may experience a life-or-death struggle to reach a UN Refugee Camp. There they wait for years for approval to go to a safe home in San Diego, where they face further challenges.” RefugeeNet is dedicated to assisting refugees learn English, navigate culture in the U.S., and identify employment and ways to support themselves. Learn more here.
Provide Toys to Kids Who Wouldn’t Otherwise Get Them
Our friends at The Simple Way have been working, living, playing with and loving neighbors in the Kensington section of Philadelphia since the 1990s. They are running their annual toy drive so families have gifts for their children. The Simple Way is “a small organization supporting neighbors in building a neighborhood where we all belong and thrive.” You’ll find more information here.
End Hunger on a Large Scale
Looking for a way to impact public policy? “Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity at home and far beyond where we live. We can end hunger in our time. But churches and charities can’t do it all. Our government must also do its part. With the stroke of a pen, policies are made that redirect millions of dollars and affect millions of lives. By making our voices heard in Congress, we make our nation’s laws fairer and more compassionate. We leverage big changes for people in our country and around the world who struggle with hunger.” Learn more at Bread for the World.
Sarah String is a Sider Scholar and M.Div. student at Palmer Theological Seminary. Her passion is to see holistic public health be evidence of God’s Kingdom. Sarah has a Master of Public Health degree and works as a project manager leading program evaluations related to lung health, vaccines, and STEM education. She is a member at Willow Grove Bible Church in Willow Grove, PA.
