What circumstances would you donate to a person/family in your community?

Times are tough. They have programs to help and there are charities to help. There are people every day who lose a spouse or a home or are victims of crimes. You'd have to be a millionaire to help every single one of them, especially at a time when most are struggling to take care of their own families.

I don't have much, but I was taught if a person was in need, you should share what you have with them. But the thing is, in these kinds of situations, it's mostly poor people who share. When I've needed help, it's been black families who have helped me out. They might not have had much, but they shared what they had and made me feel welcome. Too bad the rich white folks have no compassion unless they can write it off their taxes or get publicity for it.

Andy -- I would donate to all of the above.  These are all horrible situations to be in.  If more people would donate even a little, it would add up to more.

Bonestructure -- I understand what you are saying.  White people often give for tax purposes.  On the other hand, they also give a lot because they are concerned.  For instance, Paul Newman gives all his proceeds to charity.   If it wasn't for the rich peope, there would be no "organizations trying to clean the earth", research centers for cancer patients and other diseases, and they can give people jobs.  Poor people cannot give poor people jobs.   And I do not want to live  in a country where everyone is the same because everyone is the same except the leaders who dine very well.  Often, it's a country's leaders who hurt their own the most. 

Please don't give randomly.  Do as my family has done since the 1890's.  Evaluate your local needs and see who is actually addressing them.  Set up a budget that you will meet and include charities in your monthly giving.  Time your giving and structure it to do the most good. 

If you have a farm raising champion racing horses, then set one purse in ten chosen at random for charity.  That is what to set aside into your charity fund.  Any other income that comes in spurts does that also.

Estimate how that will accrue over the year.

Does your local Synagogue have a relief effort?  Give there.  Does your Church have a mission overseas?  Give there.

Can you stretch your budget and put on one more worker who is in desperate need of a job and too proud to beg?  Put him to work, this guy will make you proud you gave him a chance.

There is always the unknown, but have faith in your ability to choose rightly.