I make most of my quilts for either the church's charities or for an organization that send foster kids to camp. I too look at it as more as a donation than charity. Foster kids sometimes when they go to camp have only the clothes on their back. I feel they deserve something special that belongs to them.

My favorite pastor taught us to give our best and not our worst. I never donate something that I wouldn't like for myself. (Unless it is this NEW pair of shoes that hurt. haha)

This one was a stumper for me.
I guess when you asked what charity means to me as a giver AND as a receiver, my first thought was that I am blessed to not need charity, however I have always considered anything that anyone has given me or done for me a kindness.
So I'd have to say that as a giver I look at it as a kindness; extended to anyone, whether in need, for whatever reason or circumstance, whether it be a quilt, a batch of cookies or a $5 bill. That frees me from searching for certain places to give and lets me seize any opportunity that falls in front of me. I'm sure that we are all the same, we just may have forgotten to add what we deem as charity to simply fall under the category or kindness.......both as a giver and a receiver.

Good question! In my earlier days of quilting, someone suggested I give my not-quite-successes to charity. The 'reasoning' was that someone with very little, would appreciate my failures. Seems rather cold-hearted, to me. IMO, someone with very little should be given something beautiful, to make up for what he/she doesn't have. Children, especially, should be given colorful and cheery quilts, not dull and depressing quilts. Animal shelters would certainly appreciate anything but children, regardless of their circumstances, deserve to have something to love and cherish.

Sorry for the rant. :rolleyes:

Thank you, thank you, thank you.....I have searched for another word for charity for so long and kindness is just absolutely perfect! You couldn't ever have said it better.

Not ranting Neesie....just your opinion and we're all entitled to them.
I agree with everything you said.

We give mostly to people in our area, when some one has a fire, house or barn, my husband usually the first one there and gives money, (they may need it for cloths or med right now) then I pack a tote with soap shampoo, towels of all kinds, paper plates , cups, plat-ware,) Later we offer our help in clean up. Recently we gave home made rugs, towels & a new home made quilt. People were very generous, but there were way to many things that belonged on a rummage sale, I felt these people lost the mother to cancer, the son broke both legs in a car accident, and now their house burnt down. They had no time to hold a rummage sale.

I agree about the treats...some times a little treat is nice.

While on the subject of "charity": Do any of you feel as I do? I really don't like the word. I seems (to me) that we are putting people in categories... I am not rich by any means but I know that there are those that have more and those that have less. I try to help any and all that are having "hard times" even if it is only an "ear" to listen or a cup of coffee. I have been searching for a word to replace charity. Any ideas? OH, I too agree that if it is not good enough for yourself why would you think it was good enough for another. I try to make all my quilts, coats, toys, etc to the best of my ability and something to be proud of even if the design or colors are not to my style. ptquilts, I agree. When my clothes are no longer of use to me the are regulated to the shop as rags to clean with.lol

I almost never give cash to people on the street corners. I do occasionally buy them a sandwich. When I was working I had to pick up the mail from the post office. There was this guy who offered to clean car windows for a donation. (non-aggressive - not like New York) I didn't want my windows cleaned, but when McDonalds had 2 for 1 egg McMuffins, I always gave him one. One day he was there washing windows and not taking any cash from anyone. One of the other customers had noticed how hard he worked and offered him a job... he was thanking us all.
I never saw him again (he had a job!). But it changed how I view people. I don't often give street people cash - but I do buy them a burger now and then (and sometimes their dog too)