Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (Nov. 29 this year).
Since its founding in 2012, millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
Day for giving back
After two days of getting shopping deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a day for giving back.
According to the Giving Tuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), people are embracing this day as an opportunity to raise money for local nonprofits, schools, and arts organizations; run food and clothing drives; teach children about philanthropy; encourage acts of kindness; collaborate with their neighbors; and celebrate generosity.
It’s too bad that Giving Tuesday doesn’t come before the popular shopping days, because it emphasizes charitable giving — something that should come first for people of faith.
Make donation lists
So before we make gift lists and begin our holiday shopping, it is important to first think about our charitable giving and make donation lists, especially following up on the Year of Mercy with its emphasis on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
There are so many excellent ministries within the Catholic Church, in our communities, and across the world which can benefit from our charitable contributions. Please consider giving a monetary gift to these ministries during the holiday season.
But don’t stop there. Consider giving a regular donation throughout the year, perhaps a monthly contribution. Charities appreciate gifts at the holiday season, but they need our help at all times of the year.
We should remember these words in Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 25: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”