Why Not Donate?

Apparently, the most recent publicity stunt by American Idol involved getting people to donate money to its fledgling charity organization Idol Gives Back. Then the people in power could donate money to places in Africa and the United States of America and likely get a tax write-off for it. While I'm not against helping people in need, it seems to be the secondary priority in this instance. I'm not a regular viewer, but I've heard that this season is pretty poor and something like donating a huge amount of money seems like a cure for otherwise lackluster ratings. Obviously offering assistance to those in need is commendable, but why now and why with money?

It's no secret that there are people all over the world who are struggling mightily to survive. Unfortunately, my experience tells me that most people donate only when it is convenient. I am also convinced that if a study were done it would show that the percentage of resources donated by a person decreases as the amount of resources he has increases. This is regrettable, but it makes sense because it's a bad idea to give things away if your goal is to accumulate resources. What I hope people realize is that there is so much they can do beyond giving money. There are local food pantries and boys and girls clubs in every city that would not turn away canned goods, household supplies, and volunteers. Homeless shelters and soup kitchens are always willing to accept similar donations. It is disappointing to realize that too few people either don't know how much they could help or don't care how much they could help by offering what they can live without. This world would be better if more people gave something to help someone else every day.

On the topic of improving the world, there are groups with big names like Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Bono, and Cameron Diaz that have lofty goals like eliminating poverty, saving wartorn areas, and changing HIV from an epidemic to a memory in third-world countries. Like I said, these are lofty goals. Although the ideas aren't bad, I believe that it's going to take more than a famous name to get things done, it's going to take a new strategy. The best way to explain my view is with the following adage: If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. There are reasons why people are poor, are fighting, or have HIV and success won't be had by handing out money, bulletproof vests, or condoms. In order to make progress the people affected have to be actively involved in achieving the goals because the only way to solve these types of problems are from the inside. Obviously this solution includes assistance from the outside and it's going to take a lot of work, but with the right motivation and help, these problems can be fixed.

With this in mind, I now ask my title question. Why not donate? You may be too cynical to think that global problems can be solved, but there is so much you can do to help local causes. I guarantee these groups will appreciate what you give or do, because unfortunately they don't see many new faces who want to help.