As a father of 4 children, I understand what it's like to be short of funds. I know there are times that I want to help but I feel like I'm not in a financial place to be able to donate. But sometimes a small gift can make a huge impact.
My oldest daughters (ages 10 and 9) sat down and thought of 5 ways to help that won't break the budget:
1. For $20 a month , you can support the Dream Center.
From science Thursday to afterschool reading help, the Dream Center offers a place for kids to learn and grow. Making green slime and exploring the effects of Mentos on Diet Coke are a couple of the ways our Dream Center teaches kids about the world around them. For a small donation, you can make a huge impact on the lives of children through our Dream Center programs.
2. For $15 a month , you can support Ozanam Manor.
Ozanam Manor is where we provide shelter for the homeless in downtown Phoenix. We provide a bed to sleep in, one-on-one case management and resources to help residents get back on their feet. Ozanam Manor provides a safe place for people to stay off the streets. A small donation a month would help support this amazing program.
3 . For $15 a month , you can support one of our dining rooms.
We help feed hundreds of people a day through our dining rooms around the Valley. These are people who might otherwise miss a meal. I see the smiles on the faces of the parents in our family dining room-they know that their children will be eating a well-balanced hot meal. As a parent, that is such an amazing relief. For less than $0.50 a day, you can help make sure that families and individuals have nutritious meals available when they are at their most vulnerable.
4. For $10 a month , you can help support a garden.
St. Vincent de Paul has taken on a strong effort to develop urban farming. In an otherwise empty space, we plant a bountiful garden that helps supplement our donated food with fresh vegetables. Urban farms are providing an abundance of organic nutrition that would be out of the realm of most of our guest's budget. Your small monthly gift can help us expand our operations and provide tanks to raise fresh fish!
5. For $10 a month , you can help fill a food box for families with emergency needs.
Personally, I think the St. Vincent de Paul home visit is one of the most beautiful parts of what we do. Going to someone's home is always a big deal — especially when that person is struggling with an emergency situation. Generally, we provide a large box of food that is meant to last about a week. In situations where there are children, we provide a few goodies as well-a fun cereal, eggs, milk and other items. We generally have to purchase hygiene items, such as toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, and diapers, out of our budget. For a small monthly gift, you can help us augment the food box with hygiene items so needed by Arizona families.
This list is just a partial list of needs that you can help with, and any help is welcome. Please consider a small monthly gift to help out your favorite part of St. Vincent de Paul. If you're a parent, I recommend sitting down with your kids and decide as a family what part of the Society you would like to support. As for my family, I think we're going to support the garden and help with food boxes.
What are some more ways that a small gift could make a big impact? Post more ideas in the comments.
 | Kevin Miller is the digital marketing manager for St. Vincent de Paul. Kevin has been married for 17 years and has 4 beautiful children. |
