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Giving to those less fortunate without embarrassing them takes a little imagination and creativity, and with economic times tightening the wallets on everyone, finding ways to give also takes creativity. Giving during hard economic times does not have to mean taking from your own family, there are many ways to give if you look for them.

If your office typically exchanges gifts, consider donating to a charity instead. Have each employee bring in a gift for a child and donate those gifts to a local orphanage or Salvation Army who can place them where they are needed. If you typically draw names to exchange gifts, instead of employee names put boy, girl, adult male, adult female in the hat. Each employee buys a gift for the name drawn and the gifts are delivered to the local homeless shelter. If your office would prefer to donate cash, contact your local shelters and ask them what they are need of, and then purchase it with the donations. You would be surprised how fast two or three dollars multiplied by an office full of people can add up.

Similarly, if your office traditionally collects money to buy the boss a gift, consider making a charitable donation in his or their name instead. Considering how difficult it is to purchase a gift for the boss, this makes the task less difficult and he is sure to appreciate the philanthropic side of his employees.

Can food: Go through your can goods and pull out any that you notice your aren't using. Don't give away food that has gone past its usable date. Once you have your stockpile to donate, there are several options. You can take it to your local food bank, the local homeless shelter, or if you know where there are homeless people you can leave it in a bag for them when they aren't there to avoid embarrassing them. This is an excellent idea; you might even put a hand can opener in to help them out.

Start a penny drive in your office and home. Place collections jars for pennies and ask everyone to donate their pennies to a good cause. Many people just toss them to the side in drawers because they don't want to take the time to collect them. As the collection grows, donate it to your local homeless shelter.

Clean out your closets and donate your used clothing to either the homeless shelter in your area or any other charity that houses children and adults. Goodwill is a great charity, but if you are homeless and in need of clothes you still need money to purchase them. Keeping children and less fortunate adults warm and clothed during the cold winter months will warm you up as well.

Finally, while there are health laws and regulations governing food being cooked and delivered, you can still make up to-go plates and take them to the homeless people who are on the streets. They will be thankful for your kindness and enjoy a hot meal.

Giving to those less fortunate creates a feeling that is indescribable. It's not about being superior, its about human love and compassion for your fellow man. Seeing a child on the street without a toy or even a coat on Christmas morning can bring even a grown man to his knees. Using your creative juices to help that child can restore faith in humanity.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Chapman.
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