Day 365: LAST DAY! $20 to Donors Choose Project

And so I end my year of giving the same way I began it, with a donation to a teacher on Donors Choose.  This time, I chose a project about art and Transcendentalism.  When I taught American literature, I loved reading Transcendentalism with students, so I thought the donation was appropriate for me.

It's hard to believe that my little experiment is over.  I'm relieved and a little forlorn at the same time. Since I can't quite give it up yet, I'm going to be posting a series of reflections about my year of donating--regrets, accomplishments, thoughts, and what not. So I will keep this blog going a little longer. Who knows, then I may start a new one.  Can't wait for 2012! Looking forward to it. 

Day 364: $1 to Vets and 50 cents to Shared Harvest

I've given the $10 bag of groceries to Shared Harvest (at Whole Foods) twice in the past month, so this time when they asked me if I was interested in adding on to my bill, I declined and instead added my change to the Shared Harvest collection box conveniently placed at the checkout. Did I feel cheaper? Yes. Do I think it's a bit intrusive of cashiers to ask for a $10 donation every time you shop? Yes. I get that most people have this idea that only people with money shop at Whole Foods, but in reality that just can't be true. People who like health food aren't all necessarily rich. They are not mutual conditions. I think Whole Foods would be much better off simply asking their customers if they would like to round up their bill. I would ALWAYS do that if asked.

I also had the opportunity to donate to a group called Veterans for Us (I think that was the name) that was set up outside of Sam's Club. They had a lot of gear they were selling--like hats, bumper stickers, flags, and t-shirts--and they also had a big plastic barrel (like the type you would find a ton of pretzels in). Since I was right next to them waiting for the rain to pass, it seemed like a convenient and appropriate time to make my daily donation. It seems as if a lot of other people were thinking like me because I saw three other donations made, and I noticed that the almost overflowing pretzel barrel had more than just singles floating around. It definitely had at least one $20 bill.

Day 363: Soup

Today was Green Bean Delivery day (thank goodness for fresh, organic produce in the winter). I left two different types of soup in my bin for the constant food drive. I left a huge can of Campbell's Sirloin Burger soup. I have no idea why that was ever purchased (iron deficiency?). Then I also donated a bagged soup mix made by Bear Creek.  It was chicken noodle, which all in all I'm sure is good--as most Bear Creek soup mixes are--but again not my favorite soup. I'm sure someone else likes both.

Day 362: Books to Africa

This is one of those donations that at its core is just plain selfish. Nonetheless, it counts. It really does. Today I purchased an out of print t-shirt for myself. Every time you purchase from this organization they donate books to Africa which is just plain good. This is my second purchase from Out of Print. The first time, I bought the Sun Also Rises t-shirt; this time I went for the more girly Pride and Prejudice shirt. I can't wait to get it!

Day 361: 4 books to Better World Books

I ran across this idea on Twitter today. Apparently a company called Better World Books will accept your donated books. They then re-sell, donate, or recycle the books.  You go to their website, print out a postage-free mailing label and affix it to your own box (something I have plenty of lingering around my house after Christmas). I stuffed four books into a box that previously held an Orgreenic saute pan. They fit perfectly. Now all I have to do is drop the package at the post office.  I'm sure that I will continue this donation outlet in the new year. It just seems so practical.  Better World Books even sets off the carbon emissions of the whole process.  How?  Well, I have no idea, but it sounds great.