I agree, times are tough.  It is pretty easy to throw your arms in the air, be overwhelmed by the enormity of social needs facing our globe and do nothing at all.  However, I am a non-believer in this whole charity-fatigue debate and believe there are lots of small acts of kindness that can make a massive difference.

If you are looking for inspiration, then sign up to the GIVIT List and receive a weekly list of items needed from wide range of charities across Australia.

GIVIT.org.au is a web-based philanthropic community where people donate items or time to people in need.  They are a ‘targeted giving’ service that finds new lives for your unwanted items with worthy recipients.

A few weeks back, GIVIT were asking for were old mobile phones.  C’mon, I know you all have old unloved phones lerking in a drawer or cupboard somewhere.  All GIVIT.org.au were after were your unwanted, unlocked and working mobile phone – it didn’t matter if it was your old brick from a decade ago, as long as it worked!

Another item from last week’s list was deodorant – yup, giving is that simple.  Surely you CAN afford to buy some deodorant on your next trip to the supermarket?  GIVIT work with a women’s crisis accommodation centre who always have a need for toiletries and right now need deodorant.

This week, among other things, their need is second-hand prams.

See, giving doesn’t always have to be about money, sure every charity would LOVE your money, now more than ever.  But there are lots of other ways that you can give.

Some other ways to give are:

• Give blood / plasma, try Australian Red Cross
• Give your time, try Volunteering Australia
• Get online and support a charity, retweet or reshare content via twitter and facebook
• Collect milk bottle caps on behalf of a charity, for example Paul’s Collect-A-Cap