Giving Tuesday Puts Non-Profits In The Holiday Shopping Spotlight

Black Friday. Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday. The evolution of the start of the holiday shopping season has taken on several different themes. In recent years, the non-profit sector has gotten in on the action with "Giving Tuesday".

Many non-profits on Giving Tuesday make special appeals in an attempt to boost giving during a time when folks are focused on their holiday lists.

The United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region continues their annual campaign to connect funds with target resources via its local non-profit partner agencies (Click the player below to hear Chris Sargent, interim CEO at the United Way, talk about their progress thus far).

Many of those agencies - and others - are working on their own, too, to gain attention on Giving Tuesday as well.

The Humane Society of South Central Michigan got in on the act Tuesday, sending appeals to its circle of influence, asking folks to use Giving Tuesday as an impetus to support their shelter.

Executive Director Jessica Gilbert said last year's Giving Tuesday effort raised $1800 in one day.

The Food Bank of South Central Michigan also used Giving Tuesday to call attention to ongoing food bank efforts in the area, this after a specialized Thanksgiving food drive - and another focused on Christmas.

Food Bank Executive Director Patty Parker told WBCK donations received via their website on Giving Tuesday were not subject to the usual processing fees, allowing the full amount of the donation to go toward feeding the hungry in the region.

"With our buying power, $1 buys six meals," Parker said, adding that a donation on Giving Tuesday - or anytime - has tremendous power for the food bank.

Hear The Richard Piet Show weekday mornings from 5:30-9 on WBCK.