“Would you like to round your shop to the nearest pound to support our charity?”
The same question repeats itself at the end of my shop. A generous sum of 99 pence at best; seemingly insignificant with no tangible impact — perhaps only to soothe my moral conscience into believing that it’s done a righteous deed. However, is the monetary value of a donation truly what determines how much you’ve left the world a better place? Or, perhaps, the impact of small steps is far more profound than what meets the eye.
Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed the commodification of charity as both a status symbol and altruistic virtue signaling. Organisations host lavish charity dinners, as attendees compete to see who writes the largest cheque; flaunting their wealth meanwhile. We’ve all seen spectacles of grandeur such as the MET Gala and the amfAR Gala Cannes labelling themselves as charities. Influencers on social media bolster their reputations through grand displays of aid, often zooming the lens on their actions rather than the cause. Some funds may convince you to cough up a not so humble fraction of your hard-earned money to “make a visible difference”. Combined with the lack of fully transparent procedures for donations, and the increased cost of living crisis, it’s no wonder that we’ve lost sight of charity’s essence.
Contextually, the material value of a donation doesn’t correspond to the scale of its impact. A plate of food costs 95p, which would total £2.85 a day for three meals according to the UN World Food Programme. In some parts of the world, this is 0.6% of the average citizen’s income. In contrast, this is 186% of the income of the average South Sudanese citizen. These meals may save someone on the verge of starvation. Likewise, £2.26 is the cost of a dose of the malaria vaccine, which contributes to decreasing the mortality rate. In short: 99 pence covers a plate of food, and three shops worth of 99 pence donations cover one dose of children’s malaria vaccination. Quadruple that number, you would’ve covered a full four shot dose of children’s malaria vaccination. The list is non-exhaustive.
Now, it’s not my intention to lecture anyone whilst saddled on my moral high-horse; we’re all university students budgeting on essentials (I occasionally treat myself as well). Rather, I’d like to highlight how much closer we are to making a tangible difference in the world: one run-of-the-mill groceries dash closer. If each of us were to save 99 pence at the end of each shop, and accumulate that value over time, we would all be able to support a cause of choice.
Even if reputable charities aren’t accessible or affordable, there’s always the alternative of raising awareness about a cause. Words are free, but have the potential to pivot more people towards providing any form of support and solidarity. The impact from your words is one that’s invaluable and cannot be measured with a price tag. All in all, no one needs to break the bank to better the world around them. Whether it’s through words, or saving 99p during some of your shops, we’re all one shop away from making a difference.
Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash.
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We’re all one shop away from making a difference
“Would you like to round your shop to the nearest pound to support our charity?”
The same question repeats itself at the end of my shop. A generous sum of 99 pence at best; seemingly insignificant with no tangible impact — perhaps only to soothe my moral conscience into believing that it’s done a righteous deed. However, is the monetary value of a donation truly what determines how much you’ve left the world a better place? Or, perhaps, the impact of small steps is far more profound than what meets the eye.
Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed the commodification of charity as both a status symbol and altruistic virtue signaling. Organisations host lavish charity dinners, as attendees compete to see who writes the largest cheque; flaunting their wealth meanwhile. We’ve all seen spectacles of grandeur such as the MET Gala and the amfAR Gala Cannes labelling themselves as charities. Influencers on social media bolster their reputations through grand displays of aid, often zooming the lens on their actions rather than the cause. Some funds may convince you to cough up a not so humble fraction of your hard-earned money to “make a visible difference”. Combined with the lack of fully transparent procedures for donations, and the increased cost of living crisis, it’s no wonder that we’ve lost sight of charity’s essence.
Contextually, the material value of a donation doesn’t correspond to the scale of its impact. A plate of food costs 95p, which would total £2.85 a day for three meals according to the UN World Food Programme. In some parts of the world, this is 0.6% of the average citizen’s income. In contrast, this is 186% of the income of the average South Sudanese citizen. These meals may save someone on the verge of starvation. Likewise, £2.26 is the cost of a dose of the malaria vaccine, which contributes to decreasing the mortality rate. In short: 99 pence covers a plate of food, and three shops worth of 99 pence donations cover one dose of children’s malaria vaccination. Quadruple that number, you would’ve covered a full four shot dose of children’s malaria vaccination. The list is non-exhaustive.
Now, it’s not my intention to lecture anyone whilst saddled on my moral high-horse; we’re all university students budgeting on essentials (I occasionally treat myself as well). Rather, I’d like to highlight how much closer we are to making a tangible difference in the world: one run-of-the-mill groceries dash closer. If each of us were to save 99 pence at the end of each shop, and accumulate that value over time, we would all be able to support a cause of choice.
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Even if reputable charities aren’t accessible or affordable, there’s always the alternative of raising awareness about a cause. Words are free, but have the potential to pivot more people towards providing any form of support and solidarity. The impact from your words is one that’s invaluable and cannot be measured with a price tag. All in all, no one needs to break the bank to better the world around them. Whether it’s through words, or saving 99p during some of your shops, we’re all one shop away from making a difference.
Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash.
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