The season of giving thanks is upon us, and with that comes the season of plain old giving. I have always been very enthusiastic about this time of year; like most, I love shopping and I love the spirit of giving. However, there are some downsides to this season. Although there is nothing wrong with giving, this is the time of year people give blindly. By doing so, you might just be throwing money at the same things you fight the other 11 months of the year.
During the majority of the year, I am cautious of where I shop and how they treat their workers. I only vote for politicians who support same-sex marriage. I stay educated on what I can do to help the fight for reproductive rights and equal healthcare for women.
However, once it comes to the time for holiday shopping, I chase sales into any soulless box store. It seems that stores are opening earlier and earlier, making workers spend less time with family and instead slaving to Black Friday sales. A Walmart in Ohio [recently made headlines when it set up a canned food drive for its own employees who were in need.](http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20131119/NEWS/131119343)
While this may seem commendable, when you stop to think about the prevalence in the number of their own employees unable to make ends meet on their wages, it makes the company seem despicable. I will not be buying from a corporation that would rather hold a food drive than pay its employees a livable wage with adequate health insurance — no matter how much I save on anyone’s gift by doing so.
Up until this past year, I had the bad habit of dumping the change I saved into the kettles of the Salvation Army. This was until I discovered the Salvation Army refuses to offer equal benefits to same-sex couples. The charity does great work. It’s the largest charity in disaster relief and social aid. However, the organization encourages the practice of celibacy in same-sex relationships.
I realized the irony in not being willing to vote for a politician who refuses to support same-sex marriage but donating my hard-earned money to a charity that goes against my beliefs.
I faced the same internal dilemma this year when the Boy Scouts of America left a bag for canned goods on my doorstep. I took my canned goods to the local food pantry, but avoided the organization. I will gladly donate again when they allow leaders of all sexual orientations to participate.
Before I hit the stores, I will be checking out which companies share my values. I’ll find union stores that are allowing their employees to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families, not running price checks. When it comes to charities, make donations to charities that share a passion of yours, like the Humane Society for an animal lover.
Do not take this as a warning to never donate to a charity or shop at a corporate store ever again. There are great charities and corporations out there. All you have to do is simply ask yourself what good you can do during this time — and all year — simply by shopping. If you share the same values as any charity or store, donate or shop there. Just do a little research before you hit the sales and your savings hit the donation box.