Generosity: More than giving money

Why do you give? What do you give? How can you benefit from giving without any money? The idea of giving sounds scary and unrealistic to some college students. Many may think "I'm a broke college student, how am I supposed to give money when I don't even have enough to pay next month's rent?" I'm here to tell you giving is much more than just money.

Here are just a few ways to give back to others without spending a dime.

UNI students volunteering at the local food bank. 

Give your time 

Time is often just as or more valuable than money. Get a group of friends together to help out someone who needs it every week. Your time is truly a gift and people will appreciate you sharing it!

Share your talent 

Love art? Volunteer to do crafts with elderly residents at your local nursing home.  Love to cook? Volunteer to cook dinner for a family going through a rough time in your community. Maybe you are a talented musician and could host a free concert in your community. Whatever your talent may be, share it with others and take note of the difference you can make in their lives! 

Organize a fundraiser 

Want to raise money for a particular cause or organization you may be passionate about? You may not have the money to donate yourself, so you don't know where to begin. Plan a bake sale at your local church, organize a 50/50 raffle or partner with a local business; there are numerous ways to fundraise without donating the money out of your pocket. 

Donate your old items to charity

Generally speaking, college students have too much "stuff." Whether your closet is too crammed with clothes you never wear or you have enough shoes to wear a different pair everyday of the month; take time to get rid of old things and consider donating them to people who are in need. 

Smile

UNI students volunteer at local food bank. 

It's simple. Smile. You may be surprised how much you could be giving to someone who's having a bad day by simply smiling and spreading a positive attitude to them! 

Open your eyes to opportunity 

If you don't believe there's ways to 'give' without money, you likely won't see the impact or benefit when doing any of these things. Open your eyes to the opportunities that are put in front of you, before you know it you'll be giving more than you even thought possible. 

The generosity of giving goes above and beyond monetary donations. Once you take the time to give back to others, make sure to notice how you're making a difference in both their life and your own life!



Photo credit: Shannon Duffy and Jess Sandy