For not the first time I felt badly this weekend when I walked into the grocery store. It was a largely due to the changing times.
The Sea Cadets had their tins out and were collecting donations from the store patrons. I was unable to help because I seldom carry cash — not in coinage anyhow. In Canada, if you don't have coins, by default and definition, you are not carrying any denomination less than five dollars. And that's too much to toss into an unexpected charity collect — for me anyway.
It's due to technology in my case because all I need to buy groceries is my cash (or debit) card, so I seldom carry coins. The result is that some charities, those who are stuck in old paradigms, lose out. On the other hand, I am fairly frequently asked if I'd like to donate a buck or two for this cause or that at a checkout. I seldom, if ever, refuse because it just gets added to my grocery or gas or whatever total, and my pocket book doesn't even seem to notice. Those charities win out in the new era of technology and cashlessness.
In another example, just recently, I had an email request to sponsor my nephew and nieces to participate in some sort of athon for the Canadian Cancer Society. The oddity is that they're in Korea. They're raising money way over there for the Cancer Society over here. Not only that, but all I had to do was to click a link in the email to take me to a page that made sponsoring and contributing easy. When I had pledged my donation, almost immediately, I was sent an official and printable income tax receipt by email. It was all done easily and painlessly.
But I still feel a little badly when I am unable to contribute to the kiddies by the doors of the grocery store. I used to be one of them after all.
We are a cashless society. Thankfully I usually have my dad with me and he happily drops a coin a two into the charity pot. :o)
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I dontate to three charities by direct debit, three charities that I support and I don't think you can ever feel as though you have done enough but I don't feel the need to reproach myself for not giving all of the time.
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Having said that, I would if I could. :o)
Not a weekend goes by that I don't encounter the kids outside of the store. Next time, I'll approach the adult in charge and remind him not many of us carry cash anymore. You have given me courage to do so!
ReplyDeleteI don't often carry cash either, everything is paid by the good old plasic friend. We get alot of kids at the checkouts bagpacking and i give what/when i can, But i get fed up sometimes because it's almost every week you do your shopping theres someone else collecting...
ReplyDeleteI never have cash either. My grandfather used to get very outdone with me (and my uncle, who never carries cash either). We have debit cards and gas cards. Granddaddy never had either (in 97+ years) and never had less than $200 on him at all times. We were always afraid he'd get conked on the head, but he was never mugged.
ReplyDeleteI'm always reminded of the old Salvation Army ditty that we used to sing: "Put a nickle in the drum for another drunken bum". Not a very nice rhyme but at least we would drop in a quarter or two. Even a dollar bill doesn't have as much buying power as the old nickle used to have...but I try to keep a few on hand just in case.
ReplyDeleteIt is getting increasingly difficult to contribute in this way. I now tend to keep some coins in my bag just in case!
ReplyDeleteRaising money for charities is never easy, and you are so right about the lack of coinage to contribute!
ReplyDeleteWe too have young people collecting money--only they do this in the MIDDLE of a traffic intersection--at a traffic light. I guess they think--you're captive so you will give. It seems so dangerous to me that I never give thusly.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to write a check to the worthy cause and mail it.
I have the same problem, though I try to remember the times when kids will be collecting. My grandsons were both in Cadets, so know when they collect. But there are numerous others. It might be a good idea if they set up something for electronic donations.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mary
we keep loonies and toonies in the car for parking, so I can always, shamefacedly, run back and if I can find my keys, I'm OK
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