re: needed ideas for participating in charity card needs while saving money

[bgpunky]

Hey all! Here is my issue, I want my cards to have a purpose, but I am constantly revamping my budget and need to stick to it. I am sure everyone else can relate. Besides food, everything else is going up. Gee whizzle even prescriptions, I had some that were normally 8.00 and now are 30.00 . growl LOL I rather screwed up our finances by being on disability for 11 years now and my hubby is going to have to work a few years more because of it. I have to be cognizant of sticking to a budget, and use what I have but, I still want to be part of contributing to society in some manner.
For all of the charities that need cards, an envelope needs to accompany it plus it uses glue/adhesive of some sort and the postage to send a box of cards. I am trying to use my cardstock wisely also. What ways have anyone here found to participate in providing charities with cards at the most cost effective manner? I know there has to be a way!

[cnsteele]

I called my local Meals on Wheels kitchen and asked if I could make cards to include with delivered meals once a month. They enthusiastically said yes. They have around 65 clients, so I make 65 cards a month for them. I do not include envelopes because the cards are going in the lunch bags. I leave the cards unsigned because many of the clients like to send them on, especially the clients who are homebound. The woman in charge of my local chapter has told me she's gotten so many phone calls saying how much they love the cards, so she asked me to please continue with it.

To be more efficient with my time and gas, I make cards for two months at a time, then drop them off at the local kitchen. The local kitchen happens to be next to a great trail, too, so one of my daughters usually comes with me and we take our dog for a hike in the woods after dropping them off.

[bgpunky]

Nicole, that is WONDERFUL!!! So you found a charity that does not need envelopes or even postage. I will check my local meals on wheels also. What a great thing too, in reaching out to people with the love in a card.

[stampinstacy2010]

You could also look for facilities that will accept "tray cards", which are small cards that are placed on the meal tray. They could be 3 x 3, and would not need an envelope.
Additionally, if your card base is white, you can stamp directly on your card base, as a one-layer card. There are many beautiful stamps that do not need anything other than ink and paper. That will help limit the amount of cardstock that you need need to use.

[craftydolls]

When it comes to envelopes, I either buy them on sale or with a coupon or make them. I buy cheap (on clearance) 12x12 scrapbook paper and use an envelope board, folding the plain white side out. These papers can be kinda ugly, but with the pattern on the inside they don't show. It does take adhesive but you could use liquid glue.
Keep your cards simple. If you have embossing folders, you can use them to make your cards very pretty and only need to add a sentiment and maybe a die cut or stamped image. Have no suggetions on saving on postage. Hope you find your niche.

[kazeka]

I make and donate a lot of cards each year, and choose charities that are local, so I can drop off packages of cards without shipping them. Nursing homes and retirement communities are thrilled to receive cards, and often don't require envelopes. I also donated to Meals on Wheels for a couple of years, and to women's shelters and cancer clinics. Call around your area and ask if they can use cards, and you'll be pleased to find that many would welcome them.
Karen

[lynnewithane]

These are great ideas! I’ve been donating to Cardz for Kidz. I love doing that, but the postage is indeed prohibitive. They don’t require envelopes, but understandably want them in a ziplock bag, so that is another cost. I love that they’re going to seriously ill kids, but think that I will look into local places.