Editorial: Giving to charity helps local economy

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The federal tax rebate checks for the 2008 economic stimulus package began shipping Monday. The lower the last two digits of your Social Security number are, the sooner you will receive your check.

Some say they will save it. Some say they will pay off debt. Some say they will outright spend it.

Here&8217;s an idea:

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Help your community. Give a share of your rebate to charity.

There are plenty of good causes. By giving to the United Way of Freeborn County, you distribute your giving to several local social services, which cuts down on the number of times you get asked for a handout.

Because the tax rebate checks are meant for bolstering the U.S. economy, think about the economic benefit giving to local charities have.

Instead of spending your check in a way that helps China more than America, giving to local charities keeps your money in local circulation longer.

You buy a stereo and that&8217;s it. Your money is out of the local economy.

You give to the United Way, then your money is distributed to a local agency. Let&8217;s say your particular donation happens to go to the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

Then let&8217;s say that particular money is then spent on maintaining the Albert Lea thrift store. The custodian takes that home as pay in his paycheck, and the clothes in the store help people in need. The custodian then pays bills and buys groceries, and the circulation of local money continues.

See. It stays longer. Not only would giving to local charities help America&8217;s economy, it helps Freeborn County&8217;s economy.