Faithfully yours - What true charity is

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Published on Sunday, February 28, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

Every so often, major newspapers will feature photos of corporate executives and their friends attending gala evenings in support of local charitable organizations (COs).

Here’s how these evenings work.

The CO books a banquet room and selects the menu (which could cost $50-75 a plate; or more when four bottles of fine wine are included). Representatives of the CO then contact major corporations and ask them to “sponsor a table (invite enough people to fill a 12 seat table and pay for their meals).”

Those who do are recognized with a sign at their table that says: “This table is sponsored by XYZ Corporation.” Total cost to the corporation is around $1500, which is recorded in the financial statements as a sponsorship expense and thus reduces its taxable income.

Then the glad handing and arm twisting begins. One of the company’s executives agrees to be the table host. He or she is joined by a spouse, partner or significant other. Their first job is to fill the table; so they call their friends and invite them to be their guests for the evening. “You will enjoy a great meal and some fine entertainment,” the prospective guests are told. “The meal is compliments of XYZ Corporation. The evening is in support of ABC Charity. So bring your chequebook.” It’s an invitation most people find hard to refuse. Tables fill up quite fast.

The evening itself is first class all the way. In addition to increasing awareness of who they are and what they do, the executives of the CO often go home with enough donations to fund several months of programming. And, of course, photographers snap pictures of the prominent people who show up for this gala evening; some of which will be printed in the weekend paper.

To some in our society, this is what being charitable is all about; big events, good food and a sizable donation to a worthy cause. In return, donors receive a receipt for the amount of their donation; which entitles them to a credit against this year’s income tax. So they give and they get something in return—not as much as they gave, but more than a handshake and thank-you card.

Now, I have no quarrel with those who participate in this form of charitable fundraising. I applaud them for their generosity. Most, I am sure, also donate to their local church and give time, talent and treasure to other organizations with whose aims and objectives they agree.

What troubles me is the way our society seems to think that by giving money to a charitable organization or cause, we have fulfilled our charitable obligations and should not be asked to do anything else. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I know some people who knit mitts, toques and afghans or make small baby quilts. They fill a shopping bag or two with these things and drop them off at the Salvation Army, Samaritan House or a women’s shelter and they are given to those who need them. Others give one bag of canned goods a month to their local food bank. Younger people clear the sidewalks of local seniors at no charge. Dozens of these acts of kindness are done every day in our communities.

These acts of kindness are just as charitable as the donations made at a gala fund raiser. They are charitable because they are gifts of love, given to those in need by people who care.

That’s what true charity is—serving others in love, expecting nothing in return.