Helping the Poor

August 6 2020

4 Ways to Use Your Trials to Help Others

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Positive News 0

Someone making an offering at the church, one of the four types of giving according to the bible.

Published August 6, 2020

If there is one true thing about life, it’s that everyone is suffering. No one is immune to it – from the wealthiest of men to that homeless guy huddled in a street corner. It comes in various forms and degrees, and we all have our own ways of hiding it.

Though it feels otherwise, suffering is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. Without trials, life would be boring. It keeps us grounded and reminds us of our humanity. With each trial we surpass, we grow and become better persons.

Trials and sufferings are also God’s way of pulling us closer to him. Because if life is all sunshine and rainbows, would we still remember to call unto him? Will we be able to appreciate his blessings if we didn’t experience hardships?

But trials do not just strengthen our relationship with God. It’s also an opportunity to help others who are fighting battles of their own. Here are four ways you can use your trials to help others.

At times, you may feel like the world is ganging up on you. It’s like you have no one to turn to, and no one understands what you’re going through.

In that, you are not alone. Most of us have had that moment at some point in our lives. We become so consumed with our sufferings that we tend to disregard others. As a result, we feel like we are all alone and that no one can help us.

But God did not give us trials to isolate us. Instead, he wants us to share each other’s burdens.

You may be going through a tough time today, but so are others. If we share each other’s load, no problem would be too much to bear.

Just asking someone about their day or listening to them can make a big difference. Now, imagine a whole community doing that for each other. Life would be infinitely much better.

Comfort

Comforting others when you are going through a tough time yourself might sound difficult. But there is no better person to comfort others than someone who knows what it feels to be in a dark place.

Most of the time, we underestimate the power of a few comforting words. But to someone who’s in a difficult situation, it can leave a profound and unique impression. It puts things into perspective and eases their suffering, even just for a bit.

This is what God wants us to do. He comforts us in our suffering so we too can comfort others. In fact, in his epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul said:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Understand

Being in a bad place ourselves helps us understand better why people do what they do. And with that understanding comes compassion.

Most of the time, we judge people without knowing where they’re coming from or what they’re going through. Admit it or not, we tend to stereotype others just because of how they look, sound, and act.

It’s just like how most people see the homeless as vagabonds who are too lazy to work. Yet, very few would bother to ask why they became homeless.

But if you’ve been in their shoes, you’ll understand. Your prejudices will be shattered, leaving only compassion and empathy.

Inspire

When we see someone who triumphs despite the adversities, we feel encouraged. It gives us a sense of assurance that we too can overcome ours.

This is one of the ways you can use your trial to help others. Your success can inspire and encourage them to keep on fighting. For people who are going through so much, that little bit of inspiration can go a long way. It gives them hope and the motivation to get themselves out of the bad place they’re in.

So go ahead. Conquer your problems and inspire the world.

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Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen has fed the poor and homeless over 90,000 full and nutritious meals since 1993. You can donate to help the poor and homeless through our christian charity online. Visit our homepage to find our online donation form.

About The Author

Judy Ponio is a full time blogger and is devoted to topics about charity, kindness, and Christianity. She is part of the Correct Digital, Inc SEO team, which is paid by private donors to provide website digital marketing services to this non-profit organization.

July 27 2020

5 Famous Humanitarians Who Changed History

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Positive News 0

Published July 28, 2020

Human history is filled with wars, injustices, famine, and many other countless tragedies. Though unfortunate, it is during these dark times that the human spirit is truly tested.

It is also these tragedies that produced some of the greatest humanitarians who ever lived.

According to the dictionary, humanitarians are people who are concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare. Based on this definition, we all have a humanitarian side to us.

I mean, who isn’t dreaming of a better life for all humans?

But, only very few of us have chosen to act on that dream. And that’s what sets great humanitarians apart. Instead of walking the well-worn path, they made their own. Most of the time, at a great personal cost. All because they believed that mankind deserved better.

Here are five of the most famous humanitarians whose works changed the course of our history.

1. Mahatma Gandhi

When we hear the word “protest”, the last thing we expect is for it to be peaceful. But Mahatma Gandhi showed the world that activism can also be done without violence.

Born in western India, Gandhi lived at a time when the country was under British rule. As a lawyer, he campaigned for civil rights through nonviolent methods -something that was virtually unheard of at that time.

Aside from excessive taxes, he also campaigned for women’s rights, religious tolerance, and national independence. To convince people to his cause, he swapped his lawyer’s clothes with the Indian loincloth. In the winter, he only wore a traditional shawl. Both outfits became a symbol of his identification with India’s rural poor.

But what really carved his name in the annals of history was the Dandi Salt March. The 24-day peaceful march covered over 240 miles. It sparked nationalist movements all over the country which eventually led to the country’s independence.

Gandhi was also known for doing hunger strikes which greatly affected his health. His efforts sparked movements for civil rights and freedom around the world.

2. Nelson Mandela

Being imprisoned for more than two decades would have broken most people. But not Nelson Mandela.

Apart from being the first person of color to become president of South Africa, he was also credited for ending the apartheid. For those who don’t know, apartheid is a term used for the racial segregation policies enforced for decades in South Africa.

Throughout his term, he worked hard to achieve national unity. After all that he’s been through, he could have easily taken revenge on the injustices he suffered. Instead, he chose to adopt a policy of reconciliation. In a country torn by racial conflicts, it was the first step to healing.

His words and actions have inspired and continued to inspire people from all countries and races.

3. Mother Teresa

Dubbed as the living saint, Mother Teresa changed the world’s perception of how charity should be done.

As a headmistress of a Catholic school, she lived a rather comfortable life. But she gave up all that and chose to live with the poorest of the poor.

Wearing a simple cotton sari with a blue border, Teresa ventured into the slums of Calcutta. She treated the sick and founded a school for the underprivileged. She even had to beg for food and supplies to support her mission.

Eventually, she founded the Missionaries of Charity. In her words, the foundation shall care for:

“the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone”

She also opened several hospices, soup kitchens, women shelters as well as orphanages. Her foundation also maintained leper hospitals as well as a home for the dying.

Besides her work in India, Mother Teresa was also known for her international charities. She rescued children in war zones, visited earthquake victims, and helped Chernobyl victims.

Though she’s long gone, Mother Teresa’s foundation continued to flourish. Today, it is helping change the lives of millions of people in several countries.

4. Oskar Schindler

In many humanitarian lists, you’d rarely see Oskar Schindler’s name. Yet without him, many famous people of Jewish descent wouldn’t have been born.

During the Nazi Regime, Schindler had a factory in Poland. As a German-born industrialist, he initially supported the Nazis. But when he saw the atrocities they were doing, Oskar decided to save the Jews in his employ.

He bribed officials with liquor and other luxury items. By doing so, he ensured that his workers are saved from the horrible fate that befell most Jewish people at Nazi work camps. Historians estimate that he saved about 1,100 people.

At the end of the war, Schindler had spent most of his fortune on bribes. He and his wife, with the help of the Jewish families he saved, fled to Argentina.

Having tried his hands at several businesses and failed, Schindler died penniless. But he became the first Nazi member to be buried at Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. His humanitarian efforts may not have been recognized during his lifetime, but it changed the lives of many Jewish families for generations.

5. Elizabeth Fry

Prison is an undoubtedly tough place. But centuries ago, it was much worse. Fortunately, a Quaker woman named Elizabeth Fry intervened.

Born in 1780, Elizabeth Fry lived at a time when women didn’t have many rights and prisoners much less. When she visited a Newgate Prison in 1812, Fry was appalled at what she saw.

The prison housed both men and women in overcrowded cells. Suffice to say, the living conditions there weren’t fit for human habitation. Fry felt that this squalid and unsanitary conditions caused bad health and fighting among inmates.

The visit left such a deep impression on her that she dedicated her life to improving prison conditions.

Writing about it, Fry concluded that the prison system did nothing other than punishing the prisoners. She wanted to reform the prison system so that inmates can easily reintegrate back into society. Looking back, her ideas became the basis for the modern prison system we have today.

Aside from bringing clean clothes and food to prisoners, she also encouraged other ladies to visit the prison. She even wrote a book that exposes the horrid conditions in British prisons.

Eventually, her efforts paid off. She gained the support of people like Queen Victoria and Frederick William IV of Prussia. This helped her convince parliament to pass the Gaol Act of 1823.

But as a woman, her humanitarian work also became a weapon for her critics. She was often criticized for neglecting her role as a mother and wife. Lucky for us, she persevered and left one of the greatest legacies in criminal justice reform.

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July 21 2020

How Much Of Your Money Should Go To Charity?

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Positive News 0

Published July 22, 2020

Giving back to the community is a selfless act that not only benefits the disadvantaged but gives an unquantifiable amount of joy to the giver as well.

But for most people, giving to charity occurs mainly as an afterthought. Meaning, they only give when they feel like it or if they have the extra funds.

While there is no standard amount for charity, it’s still better if you can give on a regular basis. To do this, you must plan for it and include it in your budget.

So how much of your money should go to charity?

Strictly speaking, it all depends on you. You know how much you earn and how much you spend. Surely there’s room for charity somewhere in between. You don’t have to donate more than you can afford. Any amount can make a difference. As they say, it’s the thought that counts.

If you’re still not sure, you can always use the 50/30/20 budget rule.

What is the 50/30/20 Budget Rule?

Popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren, the 50/30/20 budget rule provides a simple guide on how to divide your after-tax income.

Under this budgeting method, 50% should go to needs, 30% to wants, and the remaining 20% to savings.

Needs include the basic things you need to live such as:

food
rent
utilities
clothing
transportation

Mortgage payments, car amortizations, credit card payments, and student loan payments also fall into this category.

While “wants” refer to lifestyle choices. This includes eating out, vacation, entertainment, gym fees, hobbies, and even cable packages. These are things you can live without but you spend on it because you can afford to.

Savings, on the other hand, refer to long-term investments and extra payments to debts (if any). It does not include short-term savings that are geared for a specific purpose, like a vacation or a new phone. That belongs to the “wants” category.

So which category does charity giving fall into?

Well, you can live without donating to charity. So, clearly, it doesn’t count as a need. You can’t consider it as a long-term savings either. This only leaves the “wants” category.

We’re not saying that you allocate 30% of your income to charity (though it’s not a bad idea). You can just squeeze it into your budget by giving up some of your lifestyle expenses.

For example, instead of eating out once a week, you can trim it down to just once a month. Or instead of splurging out on an expensive trip to Europe, you can just visit local tourist destinations. Use the money you saved and give it to charity.

Besides, giving is much more meaningful if you sacrificed for it. If forgoing simple luxuries can help feed a needy family for a day or a week, then it’s more than worth the inconvenience.

How Often Should You Give To Charity?

Again, giving to charity is a personal choice. There is no law that requires you to donate to the poor. That means that how often you make a donation depends entirely on your generosity.

But a “generous donation” may differ for each person. For the average worker, making a $100 donation per month is already generous. It can mean not having to eat out or going to the movies. Meaning, they’re making a sacrifice to be able to make a donation.

While for billionaires, a generous amount can be in the seven figures. Take J.K. Rowling for example. She lost her billionaire status after donating about $160 million to charitable organizations. It may not be that much for her but it still made a significant dent in her bank account.

If you really want to make a generous donation, give as much and as often as you can. Take note: as you can. You don’t have to skip paying your bills or skip a meal just to give to charity. Besides, the bible says that God loves a cheerful giver. So as long as you give out of goodwill and not just because you want to look good, any amount is generous.

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July 13 2020

Why You Should Not Put These Items Inside Homeless Blessing Bags

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Homelessness 0

Published August 29, 2019

While blessing bags are always a good idea, we should give more thought to what we’re putting in them.

According to a formerly homeless mom, most items in the blessing bags are not what the homeless want nor need. Most importantly, some of those items can harm not just the homeless but also the community.

We know you just want to help and that will always be appreciated. But you’ll help them more by NOT putting these items inside the blessing bags.

1. Soap With No Proper Packaging

Soaps are incredibly useful for homeless people. Of that, there’s no doubt.

But most of the time, people just throw in the soap (and other toiletries) together with the food. As a result, the smell of the soap rubs off on it. This is especially true if the soap comes in a thin paper packaging.

If you want to give them soap (and other toiletries for that matter), be sure to put it in a separate ziplock bag. So when they spill or get wet, it won’t affect the food.

2. Sticky or Hard Foods

When you search the web on what foods to include in blessing bags, granola bars often come up on the list. While they are ideal in some cases, remember that homeless people don’t have ready access to dental services.

As such, they might find it hard to chew sticky and crunchy foods like granola bars and candies. As much as possible, stick to soft foods like tinned soup, crackers, cup noodles, and the like.

3. Sugary Foods

Since most homeless people have no access to dental care, sugary foods are also a no-no for them. Not to mention that it poses a health hazard for those with diabetes.

4. Perishable Goods

The idea of a blessing bag is that it will last the receiver for at least a few days. Since most homeless people live on the streets, they obviously don’t have access to a refrigerator. So if you pack foods for them, stick to non-perishable ones like chips, crackers, jams, etc.

5. Cash

There are a lot of reasons why a person ended up living on the streets. But it’s undeniable that many of them are in that situation because of addiction. This is why giving them cash is not the best idea. Instead of helping them, you might unknowingly be enabling their addiction. And that’s the last thing they need.

Instead of cash, you can give them coupons or restaurant gift cards that they can use to buy food and other necessities.

What you should on homeless blessing bags.

6. Religious Literature

Bibles and bible verses may seem like a thoughtful addition to a homeless blessing bag. And the homeless can certainly use an uplifting word or two.

However, you need to remember that we all have different religious beliefs. You might have the best intentions but it can come off as offensive for some.

If you really want to leave them some words of encouragement, choose quotes and sayings that have no religious implications. Or you can always talk to them and ask if they would like a bible. It’d be even better if you can spare a few minutes to read a bible verse to them.

7. Sharp or Bladed Objects

For their safety and that of the community, refrain from putting any sharp or bladed weapons in homeless blessing bags. This includes scissors, small knives, and steel forks among others.

8. Matches

Again, for security reasons, avoid putting matches, lighters, and anything that might ignite a fire. Aside from being a fire hazard, homeless people probably won’t have much use for it anyway.

9. Broken/ Worn Out Stuff

There’s nothing wrong with donating old clothes and stuff to those in need. But you must make sure that it’s still in good condition. If it’s not possible to donate new ones, then at least make sure that it’s not broken or have holes in them. Don’t give them things that you yourself wouldn’t use or wear. They are already at the lowest point in their lives. Don’t insult them further by giving them stuff that clearly belongs to the trash.

10. Canned Goods with no Pop-Top Openers

Canned goods are ideal for blessing bags. They last long and are very portable. But you need to make sure they have pop-top openers. Not many homeless people carry with them a can opener.

How NOT to Hand Out Blessing Bags

Aside from the contents of your blessing bag, how you hand it out also matters. Here are two ultimate don’ts when handing out blessing bags to the homeless:

Throw Them Out Your Car Window

This might sound really rude but it’s not unheard of. Some people really just open their car window and throw a bag of stuff to a homeless person they’re passing by.

Obviously, this isn’t the best way to hand out a blessing bag. In fact, it’s one of the worst things you can do to a homeless person or to anyone for that matter.

If you’re really in a hurry and have no time to park your car, approach the homeless person, and hand out the blessing bag gently, you can always donate it to your local charity. They usually have donation drives for the homeless.

Go Alone

This is more of a safety precaution than for any other reason. I’m not saying that homeless people are dangerous. But it’s inevitable to have some bad eggs here and there. And most of the time, it’s hard to distinguish them from the ones that really needed help.

To be safe, make sure you’re not going alone. Go with another adult especially if you have children with you.

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July 8 2020

Top Reasons Why We Should Help the Homeless

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Homelessness, Positive News 1

Published July 9, 2020

When you see homeless people on the street, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Are you one of those people who think they deserve it for making bad decisions in life? Or do you stop and ask yourself how you can help them?

Admit it or not, most of us do the former. We blame the homeless for their plight instead of trying to help them get back on their feet. As a society, we’re wired to distrust people who we feel are not making good contributions to the community. In the news and even in some movies, homeless people are often portrayed as criminals and spreaders of diseases.

Yet, few people realize that most of us are just one paycheck away from living on the streets. It only takes one failed relationship or the death of a loved one to turn someone’s life upside down.

Even the most level-headed person can find themselves losing everything with no one to turn to. So it’s not really about the decisions they make. It’s mostly about the circumstances that they found themselves in, to which there is no easy way out.

Thus, instead of blaming them for the things that are beyond their control, we need to help them. If you’re still not convinced, here are eight reasons why we should help the homeless:

1. They Are Humans, Just Like Us

No matter their skin color, religion, or gender identity, we all belong to the same race: humankind. We share the same experience. We all get hungry, feel cold, and need someone to understand us. This is basic for all humans. The only difference is you don’t have to worry about where to get your next meal. Or where to lay your head for the night.

2. They Need Our Help

We need to help the homeless because they need our help. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter whether they can return the favor or not. You shouldn’t need any other reason to help someone other than the fact that they needed help.

3. When We Do Good, We Feel Good

Have you ever noticed that when you help others, you feel a different kind of happiness? It’s like this warm feeling spreading all over you that’s difficult to put a name to. That, my friend, is a rare kind of satisfaction that no amount of material wealth can buy.

4. We Are In A Position To Help

That homeless man you see on the street probably didn’t have the same opportunities that you had. That single mother who lives in the shelter didn’t have the same support system that you had. We need to help them because we are blessed to not be in the same situation that they are in. We have the resources that they don’t. In short, we are in a position to help and so we should.

5. It’s Our Chance to Make a Difference

Nelson Mandela once said:

We can change the world and make it a better place. It’s in your hands to make a difference.

Homelessness is a global human tragedy. But if we work together, we can make the world a better place for everyone. No matter how small the effort is, it can make a difference. You don’t have to be a billionaire to inspire change. We can all help end homelessness in our own little ways.

6. It’s Our Moral Obligation

As human beings, it’s our moral responsibility to help the most vulnerable members of our society. Even if your moral compass isn’t that strong, common decency dictates that it’s the right thing to do.

7. What Goes Around, Comes Back Around

You may have a stable job and a roof over your head right now. But there is no guarantee that you’ll still have them tomorrow. Most homeless people had jobs and didn’t imagine finding themselves sleeping on the streets. But then, in the blink of an eye, everything can change. Such is life, and that doesn’t exempt you.

This is why we need to help the homeless because what goes around, comes back around. When the time comes that we’ll be in their shoes, we can hope that someone would be willing to help us too.

8. You Can Help Them Have a Brighter Future

In a commencement address, Steve Jobs revealed that he was once homeless. Steve Harvey, Jim Carrey, Halle Berry, James Cameron, and many other famous people were once homeless. But they rose above their circumstances and became the successful people that they are now.

You see, most of the time, homelessness is just temporary. Sometimes, all they need is someone to help them get back on their feet. Contrary to popular belief, some of them are really trying. Thus, we need to help them become productive members of society again. That homeless kid living from shelter to shelter could be the next U.S. president or the next most notorious criminal in the country. It all depends on you.

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July 8 2020

Movies That Will Tell You The Truth About Homelessness

SEO Team Helping the Poor, Homelessness 0

Published July 9, 2020

Homelessness is one of the most misunderstood social problems in our generation. It doesn’t matter that most of us are just a few paychecks away from sleeping on the streets. Or that we see homeless people on our way to work every day. For those of us who haven’t experienced it personally, it remains an abstract concept. It’s not that we don’t care. We’re mostly just ill-informed.

Unfortunately, Hollywood’s depiction of homelessness in the previous decades didn’t help matters either. Most movies about homelessness depict homeless people as nothing more than vagabonds. Case in point: Charlie Chaplin’s The Tramp (1915) and Jean Renoir’s Boudu Saved From Drowning (1932).

Both movies feature homeless protagonists who were “rescued” by some well-off person. But they ended up betraying their rescuers and going back to their vagrant ways. Yes, they are both comedies but their depictions reflected society’s perception of homeless people in that era.

In recent years, however, the film industry has caught on. This is partly because homelessness has risen so dramatically in the past few years. Even some Hollywood A-listers became homeless at one point in their lives. This increased awareness has given birth to films that aimed to shed light on this great human tragedy.

Here are some of the movies that will open your eyes to the truth about being homeless in today’s world.

1. The Lady in the Van

If you’ve missed Dame Maggie Smith’s character in Downton Abbey, you’ll see her don that typical haughtiness again in this movie. Except that she plays Mary Shepherd, an old woman who parked her rundown van in writer Alan Bennett’s posh London driveway. She was supposed to camp out there for just three months but ended up staying for 15 years.

The movie was based on a true story written by Bennett himself. As the film progresses, we learn of Ms. Shepherd’s identity and why she came to live in a dilapidated van. The two went on to strike up an unusual friendship which made Bennett realize things about himself.

2. Cats of Mirikitani

This highly-regarded documentary explores the life of Japanese American painter Jimmy Mirikitani. When filmmaker Linda Hattendorf met him in 2001, he was 80 years old and was living on the streets of lower Manhattan.

As the two struck up an unusual friendship, Hattendorf slowly learned about Mirikitani’s life. The film narrates his life as an artist working with the likes of Jackson Pollock to being imprisoned in an internment camp during World War II. It also revealed why he ended up in the streets of New York painting cats to survive.

3. Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home

With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this documentary needs to be watched with a handful of tissues on hand. The film centers on eight people from Skid Row in Los Angeles which has one of the largest homeless populations in the country.

These eight individuals have managed to make a home for themselves within the homeless community. The film showed how gentrification and criminalization of poverty put them in that position. It also exposed the country’s struggle with mental health issues and the lack of response to address it.

4. A Street Cat Named Bob

When you lose everything and everyone else abandons you, pets will stick by your side. This is proven by the true-to-life story of James Bowen, a homeless man, and a recovering heroin addict and a street cat he named Bob.

At first, James thought he was helping the cat when he found it rifling through his food one day. But as the movie progresses, we see that it was the other way around. James found a friend in Bob when everyone else deserted him. Together, the unlikely duo embarked on a journey that would both change their lives.

5. Children Underground

This film documents what homelessness is like for unwanted children who were victims of a reckless reproductive policy during Romania’s communist regime.

It follows the story of five of these children who live in a subway station in Bucharest. While homelessness is common in the US, the film shows a harrowing tale of urban hell. The children are left to starve, steal, or even be subjected to prostitution while people are just passing them by. Their tales paint a raw picture of desperation and hopelessness at an age where they should have been cared for, educated, and protected.

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A screenshot from the website of Tab for a Cause.

April 1 2020

Is Tab For a Cause Legit?

Content Team Helping the Poor 0

Published April 4, 2020

What if you can donate to charity while surfing the net and without spending anything? Fortunately, this is not just a “what if” anymore.

A web extension called “Tab For a Cause” allows you to do just that: donate to charity by browsing the web. You only need to add the extension to your browser. Every time you open a tab, the company will donate a fraction of a cent to charity.

This might not look much but with so many internet users, it can reach thousands of dollars. In fact, the company has raised more than $800,000 as of March 2020. The money raised is donated to charities such as:

Tab For a Cause also relies on services like Charity Navigator and GiveWell to ensure that they are supporting the right charities. They also have a monthly charity spotlight where they support a new charity recommended by their users.

These all sound good and easy. Too good to be true, in fact, that many internet users are wondering: is it legit?

Yes, Tab For a Cause is legit. Since it was launched in 2012, it has donated at least 30% of its earnings in various charities around the world. The charity also regularly issues quarterly financial reports.

How Does Tab For a Cause Work?

Tab For a Cause takes on the business model of passive charity apps like Charity Miles and Snooze App. It converts daily routine practices into acts of kindness.

First, you have to add the extension to your browser. Depending on your internet speed, this will only take a few seconds to several minutes at most. As of now, the extension only works on Firefox and Chrome.

Once the extension is added, it will take you to a new tab with a beautiful interface (instead of the usual blank screen display). Every time you open a new tab, you get one “heart” which is also shown on the new tab’s interface.

You can donate this heart to a charity of your choice as long as it’s supported by Tab For a Cause. One heart is equivalent to one-tenth of a cent. So 1,500 hearts will let you donate roughly $1.5 to charity. Not bad considering you’re only just doing what you regularly do.

So how does Tab For a Cause make money?

Aside from a beautiful interface, the new tab will also display small banner ads at the bottom corner. Tab For a Cause collects money from these ads. The money collected is used for operations and donations to charity.

A screenshot of an actual new tab when using Tab for a Cause.

Criticisms

Like most charity institutions, Tab For a Cause has had its fair share of critics.

One Reddit user pointed out that the charity’s financial reports in three consecutive quarters in 2018 show it only donates 30% of its earnings to charity. While its expenses on salaries and employment costs keep on increasing.

In its financial report for 2019, this trend continued with charity donations remaining at 30% of total income. While salaries have dropped by a few points compared to the same period last year.

Other Ways to Donate Online

There’s nothing wrong with Tab For a Cause. It’s free and you get to help people by doing the things you usually do. But if you want to make a bigger impact, there are other ways to donate to charity without leaving your couch.

Charity institutions like Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen have an online facility that lets you donate to their cause wherever you are. All it takes is a few clicks and you’re helping homeless people get a hot meal free in an environment free from judgment and discrimination. Each donation makes a world of difference for people trapped in unfortunate circumstances.

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A Bible with verses about serving other people

March 6 2020

Bible Verses About Serving Others And Helping The Needy

Content Team Helping the Poor 0

Published March 6, 2020

Jesus once said that whatever we do to the least of our neighbors, we do to Him. So if you really want to serve Him, the best way to start is by serving the needy.

You don’t have to be Mother Teresa or Mahatma Gandhi. All of us are called to be servants of Christ in our own ways. Simple acts of kindness like giving food to the homeless or helping old people cross the street – all these things will greatly please the Lord.

If you need more inspiration, here are bible verses about serving others:

Old Testament

When you are generous to the poor, you are enriched with blessings in return. Proverbs 22:9

Do not withhold good from those whom it is due when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. Isaiah 58:10

New Testament

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who saves me. John 12:26

And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’ Matthew 25:40

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.” Mark 10:45

Learn to generously share what you have with those who ask for help, and don’t close your heart to the one who comes to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42

The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

And whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:15

Epistles

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

Help Us Help The Homeless

Homeless people are among the most vulnerable in the country. Help us make life better for them. Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen is serving hot lunches to the homeless in an environment free from judgment and discrimination. We also provide them with clothing items and hygiene kits. Any donation, whether in cash or in-kind, will be a huge help to get them through these trying times. Visit our homepage to learn more about how you can help.

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March 5 2020

Got Too Much Stuff At Home? Here’s What You Can Do With It.

Content Team Helping the Poor, Positive News 0

Published March 5, 2020

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in things? Or perhaps you’re having a hard time locating things around your house? These could be signs that you have too much stuff at home.

But “too much” can vary for each person. Having more clothes than what they can wear in a week or two can be too much for some. But it can be just right for others. If you want to know whether you have too much stuff or not, here are some good indicators:

You have a hard time navigating your house from all the things cluttered on the floor.
You barely have enough space to sit or sleep.
You always have to buy replacements as you can’t find the original.
You and other people at home don’t know where things are most of the time.
Some of your stuff has to be stored outside your house.
You’re embarrassed by the appearance of your house.
People at home are ashamed of inviting company over.
You’re always saving the good stuff for later.

If you can relate to most of the above, don’t fret just yet. Here are some tips on what you can do with all that extra stuff.

Throw Away Those That Can’t Be Salvaged

If you take a quick survey of the stuff you own, you’ll notice that a significant part of it is beyond salvage. That can include a broken phone, dried-out pens or even moldy old bread that’s been sitting at the back of your pantry. Throwing all those away can be a good starting point to declutter your home.

Sort Items According to Frequency of Use

After getting rid of things that are not anymore useful, sort the remaining items on their frequency of use. Put the things you frequently use in easily accessible storage spaces. While stuff which you only use once a year, like your winter clothing or Christmas decor, should be safely stored away.

Evaluate The Sentimental Value

How many of your stuff are you keeping because you’re used to it and how many have actual sentimental value? Most of the time, we hold on to a thing because it’s always been there. But what we don’t notice is it’s taking up the space that’s supposed to be for the things with real sentimental value.

Set Your Priorities

If you have limited space, setting your priorities is essential. Always take into consideration the amount of storage space you have when sorting out which stuff to keep. Decide if things like that sweater you impulsively bought a few years ago and have never yet worn are still worth keeping. If you have no plans to wear it in the future, then better save that closet space and get rid of it.

Someone donating excess old clothes to charity.

Get Rid of Things That Don’t Bring You Happiness

According to tidying expert Marie Kondo, if a thing doesn’t spark joy, then you need to get rid of it. Sometimes, we just keep things because we are guilt-tripped into keeping it (like that hideous Christmas sweater gifted to you). Discarding them will not only free up space but also sets you free from the distress, anxiety, and frustration it’s causing you.

Donate to Charity

If things aren’t useful to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that no one else would want it. So instead of throwing old clothes into the trash, better donate them to charity. There are a lot of less fortunate people who would be very happy to receive it.

If you’re in South Florida, you can bring those old clothes to use here at Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen. Aside from serving hot lunches, we’ve also been giving clothes and hygiene items to the homeless and poor for over 30 years.

(Interested In Donating To Us? Here’s A Quick Word From Our Staff: While we encourage donations, we find that we must be particular about what is donated. We get many old clothes which were at one time sentimental or very expensive but this does not translate to our needs and are often a burden to store and maintain. We would like to stress the things we really need which are hygiene items, sneakers, socks, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts, hats/caps, blankets, jackets, sweatshirts, underwear, baby items, and all clothing should be clean and unwrinkled. Men’s suits, women’s nice dresses, and shoes are rarely needed except for special events such as a professional job interview and we maintain a pretty good selection. Nicer clothes might be better served at a Goodwill or Salvation Army where they could be resold and the money used to keep the workers employed. Also, food donations must be unexpired and in non-breakable containers.)

Get Creative

With a little bit of creativity, you can always turn your trash into something useful or even a stunning work of art. If you’re lacking for ideas, there are a lot of DIY videos you can find on the internet to help you get started.

Assign a Permanent Place for Each Item

When you’re sorting out the things that you’re keeping, see to it that you assign a permanent place for each item. This will help you easily locate them when you need them. Not to mention you won’t have a hard time looking for a place to store it after you’re done using it.

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Two extended hands about to clasp each other symbolizing helping other people.

February 26 2020

How The Parable of the Good Samaritan Relates to Life Today

Content Team Helping the Poor, Positive News 0

Published February 26th, 2020

The term “Good Samaritan” today refers to a person who helps others in a random act of kindness. It originated from the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a story that is very familiar to Christians.

In the story, a Jew was robbed and left to die by his assailants. Two highly respected men passed by him but decided to walk away. Then a Samaritan came along. Unlike the other two, he tended to the man’s wounds and brought him to an inn. Then he gave money to the innkeeper saying, “Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any expense you may have”.

What makes this story very compelling is that Jews and Samaritans are historical enemies. Jews don’t talk to Samaritans as they consider them renegades. And this enmity is returned by the Samaritans.

But what has a thousand-year-old story to do with us? Like any parable, Jesus used this story to teach us lessons about life and about God. Here are some of the most valuable lessons from the Good Samaritan parable that relates so much to life today:

Help When Someone Needs Help

Having the intent to help is good but acting on that intent is much better. The Samaritan’s intent didn’t save the wounded man from death. It’s his actions that ultimately saved the man’s life. He didn’t walk away just like the two men before him. He decided to do something.

In our time, that half-dead man’s photos would end up in social media before he even gets to the hospital. Everybody would take pictures but very few would actually dare to help. We’ll feel sorry for that person but not enough to get involved. Now, are we the good Samaritan or are we the men who walked away?

Race Should Never Matter

Xenophobia and racial prejudice have always been a great divider among nations. Since the ancient times to the present, we tend to distrust others who don’t look like us or sound like us.

But the Samaritan didn’t care about race. He showed us that racism has no place in charity. And that we should help others regardless of where they came from or what they believe in. After all, we are all created equal: no one race is superior nor inferior from the other. And at the end of the day, we all belong to the same race: humanity.

A page of a dictionary where the word "kindness" is highlighted.

Be Kind Even To Your Haters

Have you ever wished ill of your enemy? Admit it or not, at some point in our lives we’ve all done that. Sometimes, the temptation to take revenge on our enemies is just so strong and difficult to resist.

In the story, the injured traveler most probably hated the Samaritan. And he knew that the dying man may still hate him after he recovers. Yet, he helped him. (Related: 5 Times Jesus Taught Us About Kindness)

The civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. famously said:

“On the parable of the Good Samaritan: “I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

Consider putting yourself in the Samaritan’s shoes. What would you have thought of first? The fact that he’s from a different race or that he is dying and needs help?

Help Without Expecting Something in Return

Be honest with yourself, would you help someone if you know they will never be able to return the favor? If you answered yes, then good for you. But most of us wouldn’t.

Most of us help because we are expecting a reward of some sort. We return a lost wallet and expect the owner to reward us. We help our friends because we assume that they’ll also help us when we are in need.

But, in doing so, we create a world where we only help “our kind” and those who are “one of us”. There is not much incentive to help strangers if we know we can get nothing from them.

The Samaritan knew that the wounded man may never help him in return. Yet, he pressed on because he knew it’s the right thing to do.

Being a Good Samaritan in its modern-day context is hard. Most of the time, we are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget about our less fortunate brethren. But you can still fix that.

Start with little acts of kindness and practice more empathy. Think less about what others can do for you and more on what you can do for them. That, in itself, is already being a good Samaritan. (Related: The Most Valuable Lessons We Learned From “Tuesdays With Morrie”)

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