Step Up for Giving Tuesday

This Tuesday—Giving Tuesday—is the day we’re reminded to give back. Since it began in 2012, Giving Tuesday has asked people to donate time, money or goods to causes that matter close to home. It’s not about grand gestures so much as it’s about steady care for our neighbors, and it has become one of the busiest days of the year for charities and community groups.

If you live in Alabama and want to make your gift count where you live, here are local ways to give this Giving Tuesday—from sponsoring a child’s first books to putting food on a family’s table.

Support hunger-relief efforts

Food banks across Alabama see a heavy spike in need as the holidays approach. Feeding Alabama coordinates the State’s network of eight food banks and 1,600 partner agencies; gifts to Feeding Alabama and your local food bank help keep pantries stocked, fund summer meal programs for kids and shore up services for seniors. Monetary donations are especially useful because they let food banks stretch dollars and buy what’s most needed.

Many local food banks run Giving Tuesday matches or “round up” drives at grocery partners. Check your nearest food bank’s website—the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and West Alabama Food Bank both post Giving Tuesday campaigns each year—and consider a recurring gift if you can.

Put books in little hands: sponsor an Imagination Library spot

Alabama is celebrating a milestone this season: the state will surpass two million books mailed through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—a program that mails a free, age-appropriate book to children from birth through age five. Governor Kay Ivey praised the effort’s impact on early learning: “Alabama is putting our children first. Our parents are our first teachers, and by supporting early learning at home, we are helping families build strong foundations long before a child ever enters the classroom,” she said.

Local United Way chapters and community partners often make it easy to sponsor a child for a year; many list the cost at about $35. That $35 pays for a new book each month and delivers story time to a child who might otherwise go without. If you want your Giving Tuesday dollars to build long-term advantage for a child, this is a high-impact, very tangible option. You can sponsor a child by going to THIS LINK.

Give through United Ways and community foundations

United Ways work year-round on issues from youth opportunity to financial stability. Giving to a local United Way routes funds to trusted programs in your county or region and can support shelters, literacy programs, domestic violence services and more. In Central Alabama, for example, United Way of Central Alabama lists secure online giving options and local initiatives that benefit from seasonal gifts.

If you prefer pooled, strategic giving, consider a community foundation. Community foundations such as the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and the Central Alabama Community Foundation collect gifts and award grants to local nonprofits, often with a focus on long-term needs and capacity building. These foundations are a good place for donors who want their gift to be matched with others or to support broad community resilience.

Volunteer time and give in non-monetary ways

Not all giving has to be cash. Many Alabama nonprofits need volunteers for packing food boxes, serving at shelter meals, reading to children, or helping with administrative work. Local United Ways and food banks list volunteer shifts on their sites; community shelters, libraries, and schools also often welcome a few hours of help. Giving your time can be just as powerful—and it’s a great way to involve family or co-workers in a local cause.

Practical tips to make your gift go further

— Give local first. Local nonprofits both know local needs and often have the lowest overhead.
— Ask about matching gifts. Many nonprofits secure matching funds on Giving Tuesday that double your impact.
— Consider recurring gifts. A monthly $10 donation can sustain a program long after the date on the calendar.
— Check tax rules. If you itemize, you may be able to deduct charitable gifts; check with your tax advisor for details.

Giving Tuesday may be one day on the calendar, but in Alabama it becomes a season. Whether your gift is a few dollars, an hour of your time, or a $35 book sponsorship, your choice joins thousands of other small acts to keep hungry families fed, children reading and communities strong. If you’re uncertain about where to begin, pick the need you feel closest to and start there—your neighbors will thank you, and you’ll see how a little generosity can grow into real change.