Workers at St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Phoenix load donated turkeys onto a truck in preparation of Thanksgiving Day. Photo courtesy Facebook
Americans are a generous people. In 2017, everyday citizens along with multi-millionaires donated an astounding $410 billion to a variety of qualified charities and religious organizations.
We donate because it feels good to buy a Christmas present for a child in need or purchase a box of groceries for the local food pantry. The images of little kids receiving a warm meal or a shiny new bicycle can bring us to tears. We’re moved by the stories of shelters providing a safe place for victims of domestic violence or stable housing for homeless veterans.