With the giving season in full swing, we tend to get a lot of questions about the best way people can support their neighbors. The answer, of course, is that gifts of all kinds are meaningful. Your gift by mail, over the phone, or online immediately goes to work to provide nutritious meals and life-stabilizing resources to neighbors all over southwestern PA. But did you know the Food Bank accepts many other kinds of donations?
For example, you can donate through your workplace, coordinate a fund drive with your family and friends, or even donate an old vehicle. You could “give smart” through one of our many tax-advantaged options or show friends and family that they’re in your thoughts with a tribute gift.
Whether big or small, the decision to donate can be just as personal and impactful for the donor as it is to the recipient. So, rather than “the best way,” we’d like to think of it as the way that matters most to you.
Here’s a little more on some unique ways to make your donation before the year’s end…
Tribute Giving
Gifts in honor or memory of a loved one can be a thoughtful way to recognize someone you care about. Many people make tribute gifts to honor a cause close to another person’s heart or even celebrate a special moment or milestone. When we receive your tribute donation, we send a letter to a recipient of your choice so that they can be made aware of your contribution. During the holiday season, when you might want to honor more than one person, we accept what we call “bulk tribute gifts” so that you can simplify your tribute donation, recognizing as many people as you want, and ensure that each person will receive notification of your gift. Learn more about Tribute Gifts.
Holiday Cards
Food Bank Holiday cards are a sweet way to send some holiday cheer to friends, family, and colleagues while still supporting our mission to feed neighbors in need. Holiday Cards are a flat donation of $50.00 for a bundle of five cards and each card is blank inside so that you can personalize your message. Order your Holiday Cards! Hurry, supply is limited!
Smart Gifts
When we talk about “smart giving,” what we really mean is a gift that benefits the community and you. Donating stock or making a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA account directly to a charitable organization is sometimes a more financially savvy option—even more than an outright cash donation.
When you donate stock, instead of selling it and then donating the cash proceeds, you won’t have to pay capital gains tax, which sometimes can be as high as 20%. If you give before December 30th this year, you’ll be able to include your stock donation on your taxes as well. In this way, stock donations can benefit you and have a bigger impact on the community all at once. We’ve partnered with FreeWill to help simplify the process. Want to learn more about stock giving with FreeWill? Watch this video
Alternatively, a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA can help you fulfill a required minimum distribution, or RMD, as well as help you save on your taxes. In fact, gifts from your IRA are always tax-free, regardless of whether you itemize on your return or not. This is one of the only ways to donate without dipping into your taxable income, so it’s often a smart option for many donors over 70.5. Visit our partners at FreeWill to initiate your IRA gift before December 30th!
Feeling inspired? Explore our Ways to Give page to see all the impactful options to make a difference with your support.