Mailings from Catholic Charities

[Anonymous]

About a year ago, I donated a small amount of money (like $10) to a Catholic charity. Now, I receive a mailing from one of scores of other charities practically every day requesting donations. Often included in the mailings are various small trinkets, medallions, coins, etc. Money is tight right now and I can't afford to donate to all of them. Can I keep the trinkets without donating money? I am Catholic, so I am not comfortable throwing them away, and I like them, but I am not in a position to make all of these donations. I am sure that the organizations, as wonderful as they are, know that we Catholics have a guilt problem and that sending such things puts pressure on us to donate. But, I now have a drawer full of envelopes now. What do you all think? What are my obligations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About a year ago, I donated a small amount of money (like $10) to a Catholic charity. Now, I receive a mailing from one of scores of other charities practically every day requesting donations. Often included in the mailings are various small trinkets, medallions, coins, etc. Money is tight right now and I can't afford to donate to all of them. Can I keep the trinkets without donating money? I am Catholic, so I am not comfortable throwing them away, and I like them, but I am not in a position to make all of these donations. I am sure that the organizations, as wonderful as they are, know that we Catholics have a guilt problem and that sending such things puts pressure on us to donate. But, I now have a drawer full of envelopes now. What do you all think? What are my obligations?

^^^And I am afraid that if I make any donations, this will just proliferate the number of mailings I get.

[Anonymous]

These are being sent to you from professional fundraisers specifically to play on your guilt. You owe them nothing.

[Anonymous]

They're taking your money and buying trinkets, spending $$ on mailings and probably even more $$$ on their professional fundraisers.

Take your $10 and give it directly to someone in need or buy $10 worth of food and drop it off at the food bank.

[Anonymous]

It will only get worse if you donate more. My husband falls for this and I feel like we've reached spam-level mail volumes. I shred what I can before DH gets home.