Good causes overwhelm me
begging letter thro’ the door
I always give what I can
yet they ever want more.
In town I find my heart sinks
being stopped by a cheerful soul
seeking direct debit contributions
draining every month is their goal
I explain, … yet I still feel guilty
why ever should this be so?
I always give what I can
but there’s a limit
You Know?
LadyP © 2011
Pen Pusher, I just write when the mood takes me, and wherever my imagination wants to go I try to follow.... 
● Poems 'n Stuff ● 
Hoo Boy!!!
Ain’t it the truth though???
I was doorstepped by two guys wanting donations by direct debit and asked £6.40 a month saying it was the minimum, but after I got the paperwork I talked to the charity lady on the phone and the minimum was £2!!!
Talk about a rip-off!!!
I stopped giving in the end, after a phone call where the guy wanted me to increase my contribution to £20 a month!!!
These days what I give goes in charity tins…
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
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me too, Sir Prenin, although I do have a monthly D/D set up for Gorta, which I set up a few years ago, and haven’t had the heart to cancel. Caught in the guilt trap… They’re getting way too pushy nowadays, and I know times are hard, but it’s the same for everyone. xx
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In those situations I always find, “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.”
and, “if you feed a hungry cat, they’ll always come back for more, and more…”
You are a very sweet and giving person, Lady Pen….you have no quilt to be felt.
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Many thanks Debbie, it just seems as if the flow is never ending, only so much we can give before we find ourselves in the same boat. I wish there were no need for Charity in this World, now wouldn’t that be a fantastic state of affairs?… xx
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There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t get letters in the mail asking for money. I have enough address lables to last me through half a dozen lifetimes. You said it just like it is Pen.
xoxo
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I forgot about that side of things Beth, and there’s no way to get rid of them safely, as they have your address on them, and shredding them clogs up the ‘teeth’ of the shredder. I save them up and burn them when I have my Chiminea alight to burn twigs and stuff from my garden. … Do you need any key rings?… or teaspoons?.. seems they have gifts galore to share out… Sigh!! xx
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Yes, there is a limit … makes me sad sometimes, especially when my heart tells me to give, but my brain tells me otherwise. Purrrs, my lovely friend, cat.
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me too Cat, the pull is always there to give for others in need, but so many Charities are fighting for little money that is available.. heartbreaking to say no, not this day…maybe in the future, but not now… Purrs to you my friend. xx
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Charities are like businesses in their own right, the larger ones anyway, with executives needing their expensive cars to drive to and from the office. That is how I see them now after the way a very nasty person called my parents asking – telling – them to give more. When they said no, he slammed the receiver down. Like you say, Pen, it would be better if charities didn’t exist. The nastier ones anyway. Sorry, Lady P, there is a limit, but they seem to push for more and more and never seem to be grateful. Phew… your poem certainly flicked on a switch there! I do give to certain charities at times, by the way, but only when I want to give. I don’t feel guilty at saying no. 😉
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’tis an emotional topic Sir Aquatom, we want to help our fellow man, aid anyone/anything who is in need, but we hear so many tales of how sometimes very little of your contribution goes to the charity directly, and the main bulk to administration., a rip off in fact, that it turns so many against all charities. I do give as much as I can to local ones, Age Concern, RSPCA, and when My Girl died it was at the PDSA as it was a Bank Holiday and our Vet was closed, and they were the only people who could help us, … We gave a donation and since then have pledged one every year on that exact date… May 2nd… xx
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It has become very discouraging to say the least…phone calls, postal and email on the trail head a box for donations. LOL. I don’t mind some, but it has become overwhelming as you write so well. Why do we feel guilty if we say no. I fear there is someone keeping track of Raven deeds.
warm one,
Raven
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True enough Raven, we feel hounded at every turn, and whilst we want to help there is a limit I’m afraid, or else we would become the ones in need and looking for aid. Who would help us then I wonder?… I just wish they wouldn’t send gifts with their pleas, as they end up in a charity bag and go back whence they came. w + f hugs my friend. x
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Guilty….. what are you guilty of….? Working for your pence and not sharing or is it something else?
The beggars ply their trip in the guilty ones……. they like victims….. are you a victim of a guilt trip? They know for you have sucker written all over the fore head.
My money pot….. it be empty, no longer can I go dig it up in the back yard for the government has taken its toll of my pot.
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ah I wish we all had a money pot John, a endless cornucopia which would pay for all the food in the world and find water and aid for those who need it… I dream of a Lottery win, where I could share the money out, give and give and give and not feel this stupid guilt… If it only takes a few pound to create a Well for those who are drinking dirty water why aren’t their Governments organizing said wells?.. If the local wars are stopping this why can’t someone with enough money step in? there are plenty of Millionaires out there, they wouldn’t miss a few thousand would they?… blasted well do something instead of asking the poor to give what little they have… Apologies but I feel at the end of my rope , and still the letters arrive with their harrowing photo’s and the street harriers with their clipboards and avid zeal, telling you it’s your duty.. . for the sake of your humanity, help the poor…and I stare, and want to scream… “you’re making me poor” … x
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Just ignore them Lady Pen and give whenever thou
wish, and not when a rattling can is thrust into thy face…
Have a great rest of
weekend now my great friend 🙂
Androgoth XXx
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I try Andro, I do try… and on receipt of begging letters as I shred the parts with my name and address on them I feel as if I’m in the wrong… strange feeling,. xx
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I’ve spent a few times of my life living on the street but never could get into the frame of mind to beg–there was free food at the shelter and usually some way to earn a couple bucks………………..
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I’ve never been in that position Alexander, and therefore have no idea how that life is like…I only have my feelings to guide me as to if anyone begged I would give what I could… It’s the constant letters and door to door people asking for monthly donations that do the damage, for every person they get to sign up , they must have hundreds who are put off ever giving freely again. xx
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Share what makes you feel good. Giving money out of guilt or because your arm is twisted brings resentment. Your heart is good, Lady P, so let it lead you when you give.
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I do Dan, I just wish I had more money to share., because if I gave what I wanted I wouldn’t have enough to pay bills and keep my head above water. and drowning myself would not aid others, now would it? … The answer lies elsewhere, the root of the problems have to be dealt with… or else there will be no end to this, only an increase in the flow… x
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Hi Pen! 🙂
Good eyedea about the salt water!
Doug just posted another note through my door, but I can’t read it…
Yeah the lottery dream is the only thing keeping me going! LoL!!!
I must admit it DID sound a bit suspect, so I changed my password – and the warning popped up on the Post Blog page again despite me having changed my password – VERY shoddy programming! LoL!!!
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
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Hope it helps Sir Prenin, and I changed my password too, twice in fact… 🙂 Hugs aplenty my friend. xx
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I really connected with this one, Pen. Well done!
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thanks Hook, glad you enjoyed it.. xx
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Donations by direct debit – ouch! What makes me truly unhappy are the deserving organizations that use up one’s contribution in a bi-weekly solicitation. Your payment disappears in the ongoing cost of paper, stamps, etc.
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true enough Monica, you begin to wonder exactly how much is really getting to those in need, and it also gives smaller worthwhile Charities a bad name, being tied in with the big conglomerates. xx
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i wanted to give lots of new items to cancer research but because it was xmas they didnt want to know so ive chucked things out since and never offered again i give to pdsa which is a good cause but only when i want too not when asked dont feel bad pen its your choice where and when xxjen
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thanks Jen, I give when I can, and I suppose that’s all we can do int’ end… But they’re like fighting wolves sometimes, once they have a hold they won’t let go… xx
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There is a limit – (I’m not of the Peter Singer school of thought) – and you shouldn’t feel guilty when you’ve reached yours. Good one, Pen
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thanks bb, always good to have another point of view, as you begin to wonder if you’re being .. uncharitable?…
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I give to charities of my choice pen, I don’t set up DD’s and when I get the newlsetters with begging requests I simply give if I feel I have a bit to spare, I only give to animal charity though not the ‘big boys’ like RSPCA and Guide dogs Safe haven for Donkeys and Compassion in World Farming are my usual ones, but I’d really like to know more about others and maybe give the occasional fiver to them, altogether a difficult business, PS i don’t buy the Big Issue but usually give the seller a couple of quid.
but don’t feel guilty Pen, if you don’t give when they ask. Hugs from me and T&R to UUUUUU XX
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thanks Arlene, and I;m finding I have a few I regularly give to, and they include a Mare and Foal Sanctuary, … and I’m the same with Big Issue, I pays the money, and sometimes say keep the Mag and sell it on. .. Huge hugs to you, Tango and Ruby,.. from me.. xx
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Give what you can and when you can but remember charity begins at home first
Ian aka Emu
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a good saying Ian, but when snowed under with all the letters and harrowing photo’s your heart wants to rule your head and give to all.. xx
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Makes you just never want to answer the door, I’m always being asked… I like to give whenever I can, but when I’ve got the bills in I never want to answer the door…
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It’s the letters Lady Jude which make me feel so down, harrowing pictures, and when I do steel myself to not send any this month, I get one which queries if I’ve received the gift, and if I have obviously the donation and their following letter have crossed in the post. most likely a trick to squeeze you even more…but It caught me today, and off wings another £10 in the post. xx
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Having been ripped off several times, I don’t give anything any more! A cracking piece, lovely. xx
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thanks Kate, I think everyone gets burned with Charities, it’s a minefield…
xx
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Very clever!
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Glad you enjoyed it Zumpoems. xx
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