Upraise Consulting Ltd’s Post

Food donations are lowest in summer months, just when families need additional food to feed children who are home on summer break. Without the schools’ free or reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches, our families struggle more in summer months to provide full, nutritious meals for their children. Last month, we were short over 1,000 items for our June distribution. As we prepare for July and August distributions, we anticipate even larger collection shortages. While our donations are at their lowest, the need in our community is at its highest. Currently, over 2,500 individuals (663 families) in Chapel Hill and Carrboro rely on our monthly Food for Families distributions, including 1,450 children. Can you help us fill the gap in donations with a financial gift? 30 can help us bridge the gap for 2 families. $60 will ensure full bags for 4 families. $100 means 7 families will receive all food categories for every summer food distribution. Donate at https://lnkd.in/gMnikK-e. 

Holiday Tip: Check on that Charity! During the holiday season, we witness a heartening increase in charitable giving, a testament to the spirit of generosity that defines this time of year. However, as we open our hearts and wallets, it’s equally important to exercise due diligence. The IRS provides the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) - https://lnkd.in/ejiYe3yv to assist with accessing publicly available information on exempt organizations to help avoid donating to illegitimate charities and scams. Ensuring the legitimacy and effectiveness of the charities we choose to support is not just prudent; it’s a responsibility. By doing so, we ensure that our contributions make the maximum impact, reaching those who need it most. Let this holiday season be marked by both generosity and wisdom, as we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Beware of fake charities; use IRS tool to verify legitimate organizations Unfortunately, good people get scammed by those who prey on the good hearted. Not only do the proceeds not go to those in need but the giver cannot deduct the donations come tax time. The easiest way to avoid giving to a fake charity is to use the Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS)tool https://lnkd.in/gYQhbsPh  on http://IRS.gov to find or verify legitimate charities.

How are you doing as we are now halfway through the holiday reading? This time of year can lead to depression as we all go way too fast trying to prepare or get overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you have lost a loved one this year and are struggling considering Christmas without them. Please know there is hope! Here is a list of ways to best cope if you are experiencing any symptoms of depression or loneliness (adapted from an everydayhealth article): 1. Stay active and get outdoors as much as possible. 2. Share your feelings with people close to you. If you don’t have people, find a good local church and attend. Talk to a pastor or leader there. They are not perfect, but most will make time to listen. 3. Reconsider who you spend time with (negative people bring negativity). 4. Write down your thoughts in a journal. 5. **My favorite and along the DO SOMETHING theme** Volunteer and spend time with likeminded people. If you have resources to donate, consider an end of year gift. For this one, check out Charity Navigator who rates non-profits fiscal accountability. (Here is an example and link to our favorite Children's Hunger Fund https://lnkd.in/g_WitrMc) If you need someone to talk to, give me a call or random text. I am willing to listen.

To most of us, a bed is something that we cozy into each night... for the families that we are serving, this is something that they cannot even imagine, that they would be able to get off the floor and into a bed. Beds are one of the most critical items we provide, bringing comfort, security, and dignity to families emerging from crisis. Right now, we have a backlog of families who desperately need beds—a place for their children to sleep safely and comfortably. If you were to visit our warehouse today, you’d see rows of beds, but here’s the reality: every single one of them is already spoken for. We're grateful for the generous donations we receive, but the need far outweighs what we currently have. For every one bed we give, we get a request for 3 more... and we’re struggling to meet that demand. 🌟 Why are we sharing this with you? 🌟 Every dollar you donate goes directly to helping us fill in the gaps—ensuring that when we’re short on key items, we can purchase them to meet a family’s immediate needs. ➖Some weeks, we may have plenty of mattresses but no bed frames. ➖Other weeks, we may have an abundance of sofas but not enough dressers. ➖One week, we could have 10 dining tables but zero chairs to go with them. Your donation allows us to cover the missing pieces and ensure that each home is fully furnished, bringing stability and comfort to families in need. Would you consider donating today and help get kids off the floor? ➡️https://lnkd.in/gw88qUv9 #fullyfurnishedministries #getkidsoffthefloor #impact #theneedisgreat #beds #donations

People are desperate. Every day, more and more people are turning to charities like OzHarvest to help put food on their table – many for the first time in their lives. Across the country we deliver food to over 1,500 charities who tell us demand is so high, they are struggling to keep up. The latest data from our annual Community Needs Survey shows the situation is worse than we’ve ever seen. Our charities tell us: ▪ 75% have seen an increase in demand in the last six months ▪ 30% of people are seeking help for the first time ▪ 67% cannot meet current demand (a 20% increase in the last year) ▪ Charities are doing their best, feeding 57% more people (an average of 352 people a month) ▪ At least 30,000 people are going without food each month, and many more do not ask for help. Food insecurity is now reaching all corners of the community - including people with mortgages and full-time jobs (sometimes two), families with working parents, single parents, pensioners and students – some are barely surviving. There has never been a more important time to support our cause. Thanks to generous philanthropic supporters every donation will be matched until 30th June, which means every $1 delivers 4 meals to someone in need. https://lnkd.in/gY6NMaGx

The holiday season is here—and for some, presents aren’t the only gifts. Charitable nonprofits are wrapping up 2023 with an influx of donations as taxpayers look to spread cheer while also taking advantage of donor tax benefits before the year ends. The holiday season reminds us of the role nonprofits play in improving the quality of life for individuals, communities and governments. Federal and state lawmakers recognize the value of incentives to support charitable giving. Without the tax benefit and the end-of-year donations it brings, maintaining nonprofit services would be challenging. Read more: https://bit.ly/3NBIUao

As we approach Spring Break, a time typically associated with fun and relaxation, it’s important to remember that for many children, it’s a period of uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. This year, we are determined to make a difference by providing 60,000 meals to children in need within our communities over three weeks during Spring Break. Help make this goal a reality: Donate: You can contribute by making a monetary donation through our website. Make a donation on our website and specify “Spring Break” in the comment box during your donation. If you or your company are interested in matching donations, please don’t hesitate to reply directly to this email. DONATE HERE > https://lnkd.in/gv_7AgNy Host a Private Feed The City Event: Please consider scheduling an event between March 11th and March 29th to help us reach our meal target. Your involvement can significantly impact the lives of children in need. LEARN MORE > https://lnkd.in/gimKqf3C Host a Food Drive: Reply to this post to receive a flyer outlining the items we’re collecting from March 1st to March 15th. Donations should be dropped off no later than Monday, March 18th. Your generosity and support are crucial in ensuring that no child goes hungry this Spring Break. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

🎅🎄🎁 WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT FUNDRAISER 🎅🎄🎁 For 2024 we have made the pledge as a team to support two children's charities and hospices - The Acorns Children's Hospice and Zoe's Place Baby Hospice Coventry. Many of the team here have families and we are all well aware of the complications that can sometimes arise with children and the urgent medical attention they require, even more so when it's life changing or critical care is needed. To kickstart our pledge we are going to do something extra special this Christmas to bring some love and smiles to these children and families who cannot spend the festive period at home. Our efforts and focus over the next few weeks is to raise £3000 to buy presents for the two hospices to ensure a little joy is spread. We've already raised £935 but WE NEED YOUR HELP? 🙏🎄🎁 We are asking all our suppliers and customers to get involved by donating money to this amazing cause and help us fulfil our pledge and care for these children and their families.... so please, please support us and give as much as you can. https://lnkd.in/e3uxFVHf... Or if you want to help directly then call us - 02476 993199 #facilitiesmanagement #facilitiesmanagementsolutions #customerservice #wecare #professionalcare #trustedpartners #followfmsgroup #reactivemaintenance #preplannnedmaintenance #followfmsukgroup #plantatree #eforests #sustainablefuture #corporatesocialresponsibility #acornschildrenhospice #zoesplacehospice #childrenschristmasgifts #justgiving