genesis domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /services/webpages/f/i/financialpsychologycenter.com/public/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114(Forbes) – Among the economic issues laid bare by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, food insecurity may be the most striking: Aerial photos of pick-up lines at food banks around the country show lines of cars that stretch for miles.<\/p>\n
And as many\u00a0relief programs are set to expire<\/a>\u00a0at the end of December, that demand is likely to increase. Access to food was already a major issue in the U.S. before the pandemic\u2014more than\u00a035 million people experienced food insecurity<\/a>\u00a0in 2019, according to food bank network Feeding America, a number that the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects to jump to about 54 million in 2020. This month, nearly 15% of households with children reported not having enough to eat, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey.<\/p>\n If you want to contribute to organizations that work to alleviate hunger in the United States, there are a few factors to keep in mind to ensure that your donation is effective and impactful.<\/p>\n [Want more stories like this in your inbox?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Subscribe to the Forbes Advisor Weekly Newsletter.<\/i><\/b><\/a>]<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n When you think of donating to a food bank or other organization that works to alleviate hunger, you might automatically reach for the nonperishable goods. But your money can do more than a couple of boxes of shelf-stable items can.<\/p>\n Because food banks work with manufacturers and grocers, they can obtain food at far less than the cost you pay at the grocery store. Feeding America says that every dollar donated can help secure and distribute 12 pounds of food\u2014that\u2019s about 10 meals.<\/p>\n But it can feel strange to open your wallet instead of your pantry. Giving a physical food item is a tangible gift, whereas a cash or digital payment feels less personal, said Dr. Alex Melkumian, a psychologist and founder of the Financial Psychology Center.\u00a0 \u201cWe associate our memories of being fed with emotions of love and care and want to provide the same for others, especially during such a tough time,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Read more: Your Guide To Charitable Giving For The Holidays<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n That brings up another challenge this year: You might not be struggling to access food, but there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve had to rebalance your finances due to the economic effects of the pandemic. How can you make a difference when you\u2019re anxious about getting by yourself?<\/p>\n Melkumian said that worrying that your gift\u2014financial or otherwise\u2014isn\u2019t big enough can send you spiraling into feelings of shame and guilt that prevent you from taking action at all. \u201cPerfection is the enemy of progress,\u201d he said. \u201cYour gift or donation doesn\u2019t have to be big nor does it have to be financial.\u201d Your time, support on social media, and even a smile can contribute to the spirit of giving we want to contribute to at this time of year, he said.<\/p>\n Here are ways you can make a difference, no matter your budget.<\/p>\n It feels natural to donate to your favorite charities at the end of the year, when you\u2019re filled with holiday cheer. Just look at the success of Giving Tuesday: Nearly $2.5 billion was donated to various organizations in the United States this year,\u00a0a 25% increase over last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n And although nonprofits of all sizes are surely grateful for those donations, that dramatic influx of money one day a year can make it hard for nonprofits to plan their budgets. That\u2019s why many organizations encourage recurring donations.<\/p>\nWhy It\u2019s Better to Give Cash Than Canned Goods<\/h2>\n
Plan a Monthly Donation<\/h2>\n