Mornin’, y’all!
You might have seen this already if you follow me on Twitter or my Newsletter, but I had to share it here too because I’m currently OBSESSED with these guys!
And not just because they created COINS to give out! Which they did!! ;)
It’s a project here in DC called “Breadcoin“, and they’ve pretty much created their own currency which can be redeemed for food at local merchants for those in need.
The idea is that the more these coins spread the more people get helped, and since the “help” comes in forms of tokens vs cash (which many people are hesitant to give out for a number of reasons) – it’ll only spur The Good doing even further.
They’ve already got about 2,800 of these breadcoins in circulation, and hopefully after reading this we’ll be able to get even more flowing! ;) So please pass this far and wide if you like their idea!!
(They also have a few circulating around Portland, OR too, but would love to get other cities involved and make this a more *national* thing – which would be super cool if we could help with!)
Here’s a great article from The Washington Post that goes into it a bit more: ‘Breadcoin’ is a new currency in D.C. for people in need. And then here’s a short video on them:
As many of you know I used to SUCK at giving back – at least financially – but a couple years ago I experimented with a new way of thinking and it totally changed my habits.
I decided to *automate* my giving just like you do with financial goals, and now every month I consistently support all the organizations I love without having to think about it any more! It’s amazing! ;)
And I started simply with $20/mo. Something almost everyone can part with.
Breadcoin will now mark my 6th charity on the list (as soon as I can convince them to set up automatic Paypal subscriptions! Something I wish all organizations had!), and I only hope to continue adding to it every time I stumble across another place that warms my heart so.
Here are a few of the other organizations I’m proud to support:
- TheGoodCemeterian.org – A two-person historical preservation team that restores tombstones and then shares the stories behind the people they honor. (Check out the before and afters on their Instagram page – it’s incredible!)
- SundaraFund.org – An organization that recycles old hotel soap into new soap for underserved places in our world that don’t have access to any – or even know what soap IS?! (Did you know poor hygiene is responsible for 1 out of every 9 child deaths worldwide? More than AIDS, measles and malaria combined!)
- 516project.org — A Christian-based construction ministry that’s helped over 50 families last year get new roofs, wheelchair ramps, bathroom remodels, new paint jobs, yard clean up, and other house-related maintenance.
They each get $20/month along with two other charities, and as you can see I have a soft spot for the smaller mom & pop type organizations :)
I always just feel like your money can make a bigger impact there in the early stages, as well as any other advice or motivational support you can give them! It’s not easy gettting these bad boys off the ground, and especially so when they’re your *side* projects and you still have a day job to attend to!
At any rate, just wanted to give you the heads up about this new org in case it inspires you too in some way, or if you had any interest in supporting or sharing their story as well.
You can learn more about them on their website here (soon to be revamped): breadcoin.org
Or reach out to them directly here if you have anything to pass along: breadcoin.org/contact-us
If you have any organizations close to YOUR OWN heart, I’d love to hear about those too! Share ’em below in the comments so we can all see and learn more!
XOXO,
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Giving is always good for the soul. That’s true transformation of the heart. :-)
LOVE THIS SO MUCH! I struggle with where and how to give my money and my time. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so glad!!! I really find this $20/mo route super empowering and has now become one of my favorite “expenses” each month :) Helps you keep your eyes open for all the GOOD people are doing in the world too! Esp. knowing you can help be a part of it now w/ a good system in place!
Thank you so much for sharing Sundara Fund! I am a road warrior and spend an inordinate amount of time in hotels – the amount of hotel soaps I have accumulated over the years is astronomical. I am in touch with them now about donating, and can’t wait to support such an amazing organization!
Wonderful!!! It really is crazy how much we waste of it here, and even more so that it can literally save lives just a country or two over! They were the very first organization I started paying attention to and donating to consistently, and each year they seem to be doing more and more GOOD – especially with employing local women and helping people rise out of poverty at the same time. They’re amazing :)
Operation Christmas Child has my heart- As an envelope user, Thanks Dave Ramsey, I have $20.00 weekly so when I see toothbrushes with caps or whatever I can pick them up!
Oooooh haven’t heard about that one before – going to Google now, thanks!
Besides our local church (who has automated giving – LoVe!) the two organizations we give to automatically every month are sponsorship of a child through Compassion International and support for a young couple who work for Launch Global. They train college students/recent grads for work as Christian missionaries in the 10/40 Window (some of the largest unreached people groups in the world). We also give in other ways throughout the year and have a separate budget category for giving beyond these scheduled payments, but these are the ones we support every month.
Thanks for sharing!! Didn’t even think to see if my own church offers auto. giving, d’oh.
Just yesterday, I was looking into the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org) and may begin donating soon. It’s described as “the largest international anti-slavery organization in the world.” Also Christian based.
It’s so encouraging to find passionate people taking on seemingly insurmountable problems. Makes me feel more hopeful and optimistic about life in general, and also inspires me to join in and be a part of it!
Thanks for the profiles of the worthy causes you’ve found!
Agreed! Especially with how toxic things always seem in our world :( Gotta keep on infusing The Good as much as we can!! Going now to read about IJM!
My wife and I really like breakingchains.org, a non profit that rescues sex slaves in Central and South America and also sets up many of the young ladies with a micro business to try to prevent them from falling back into it.
Awesome! Especially that 2nd part there to help sustain everyone – I like that a lot :)
I love the breadcoin idea – thanks for sharing J$! That’s a great idea and especially interesting to me as it seems like I’ve noticed a definite uptick of people in need around my neighborhood.
A couple of my Austin-area favorite charities:
– Austin University UMC micro-lending program (https://www.uumc.org/microlending/) which I think is pretty cool!
– Allies Against Slavery organization works against human trafficking (https://alliesagainstslavery.org/our-story/).
Thanks for sharing these! All these micro-lending programs bring me back to the Kiva days when they first came on the scene – remember that? It was fun to see how far your dollars could be sent (and re-sent), all around the world.
They have a similar program in Vancouver, Save on Meats is a historic butcher shop that became a trendy and renowned diner. They also happen to located very close a highly populated opioid crisis street and homeless area. I had a great meal here and discovered it for myself last year.
The program has been running since 2012
http://saveonmeats.ca/token-program/
Ahhh that is awesome!!!
Looks like they have CLOTHES tokens too that are good for a pound of clothing up the street from them – so cool!! So many ways you can go with this idea!
Love that Bread Coin idea!
You did your good deed of the day – good Karma will come your way.
Haha well I’ll never turn that down, but I’m more excited for the breadcoins that are coming my way! Can’t wait to start putting them in action! :)
Soi Dog Foundation
Ahh that first header pic is so sad!!! Poor dogs!!