Extra Money Collected.....HELP

[Inigo]

Can I add my vote? I agree with everyone else. The money needs to go to the family for which it was donated.

I doubt if you could pre-pay their utilities, and what happens if they leave that residence before they use up the pre-paid utilities? Would they be able to get a refund from the utility company?

I'd suggest a grocery store giftcard, or a pre-paid visa card so they could use the money for other expenses. With a pre-paid visa, they could pay toward their utilities.

Suggest to your friend that her company collect money for the other needy family.

(Oh, and good shopping! Way to budget.)

 

[Mellie2162]

Another vote for giving the rest to the needy family or buying them grocery gift cards.

 

[DonnaBelle06]

I cannot add anything that others have not mentioned....but just wanted to put in my "I AGREE" two cents..

Really...you "MUST" spend/use the money on the family that you collected the money for - how could you not???? It was entirely given to you for those people and those people alone (not another needy family).

I 100% vote for the grocery g/c. Who doesn't need food? If even not now..they will in the future at any given time...

Donna in NC

 

[Doesney]

It wouldn't be right to hold onto the money until next year. Just get them some grocery store gcs and maybe some gcs for gasoline.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

If it were me I would take the left over money and buy food for a food bank or get the family a GC for a local grocery store.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I need to say this, and I agree that it should be spent on them whether it be utility/food gift card etc because of legal issues...

... but I so think your heart is in the right place by wanting to use it for next Christmas. I can just imagine a few little broken hearts thinking Santa forgot them! :regnancy induced tears:: Hopefully this family is in a better position next year. If not, just repeat the cycle!

 

[Alesia]

I know your heart is in the right place, but you need to give all of the money to the people it was intended for. This year.

Anything else would be stealing.

 

[Rootskate]

I'd definitely do the gift card to a grocery store. Im sure that they would love it!

 

[Renysmom]

Same thing happened last year for a family my mom was collecting for. What she did was contact her “contact” (the one who linked her up with the family) and got the dates of birthdays and such and had the contact let the parent know that these “holidays” were now covered for the next year. She also bought little baskets for Easter and got a back to school list for the kids. She then worked off those dates and holidays to use the funds. She then let those who donated know there was extra cash available and so they would be supporting the family for the entire year. No one had a problem with this.

 

[secretpantssam]

I agree with the other posters. Give them the rest of the money in gift cards and tell your friend to start her own collection if she knows a needy family.

 

[sorul82?]

I didn't read every response closely, but I don't think you can even open an account unless you go through all the hoops of setting up a non profit entity and then don't you have to have officers and all that stuff? As others have stated, just opening a person account is a big no no.

 

[emh1129]

Wow.. I think this is the first Dis thread I've read where everyone has been in agreement

And I agree. All of the money should go to the family it was meant for.
Grocery gift cards and payment on utility bills would be probably the most useful.

 

[Va-bear]

I would take the leftover money and buy a gift card to a local grocery store for the needy family you collected for that way all the money will be spent for the family it was intended for. Once the holidays are over they could probably still use the help. I would let your friend take up a collection for the family she wants to help and give her $20.

100% perfect reponse!

 

[battricia]

I agree w/ everyone else, grocery GC for the original family.

and i'm SO HAPPY to see a unanimous opinion on the dis boards!

 

[MKCP5]

You MUST legally use the money for what it is collected for. Whose name would you use to open the bank account? People might think you are stealing the money and starting your own little nest egg! They can easily misconstrue a good deed and make it in to something ugly!! Protect yourself. Get rid of those $$ properly ASAP

 

[JackJack08]

WHEW....thanks everyone for the responses!!! I agree totally....and was honestly quite offended, when she asked me to do this. Of course, there are needy families everywhere but we are one family....we can't help everyone!
As far as the bank account goes, it would actually go through a third party organization, so technically it wouldn't be "mine" but would be set up as mine, to use for them. Confusing...a little.
I am trying not to take offense to the stealing comment....because if that were the case, I would just use and spend it on myself, instead of even worrying about keeping it for future needs of the family. Which of course would defeat the whole purpose of the act itself!

On a brighter note...I heard today, that Mom had a total breakdown, when she heard this stuff was coming. The last few months have been really hard for her and this is such a kind gesture. She was beside herself! I am thrilled that little ole' me did that!!!!!

Oh....and I am going to do the grocery gc, if I can find a grocery store that doesn't carry tobacco products. I made sure they already have a full food hamper coming and also a place, for a home-cooked Christmas dinner if they choose to go.

 

[roxy83]

I debated on weighing in on this because I am very opinionated.

I personally would be VERY ticked off if I donated to this great cause and then found out that the money wasn't spent appropriately. I would personally recommend that you spend every single dollar on this family in some capactity. Whether it's groceries, utilities, clothes for the kids, more toys, etc. That is where the donors want the money to go. Also, it's not your place to determine what this family should spend the grocery money on. I agree that using it on tobacco products isn't ideal but they are adults who will appreciate being able to make an adult decision with this money. If you are that concerned please buy more non perishable items and LOAD up their pantry for them. You can add paper towels, toilet paper, a subscription to the local newspaper and a book on coupon clipping. There are ways to make this money work for everyone but it's THEIRS.

 

[JackJack08]

I debated on weighing in on this because I am very opinionated.

I personally would be VERY ticked off if I donated to this great cause and then found out that the money wasn't spent appropriately. I would personally recommend that you spend every single dollar on this family in some capactity. Whether it's groceries, utilities, clothes for the kids, more toys, etc. That is where the donors want the money to go. Also, it's not your place to determine what this family should spend the grocery money on. I agree that using it on tobacco products isn't ideal but they are adults who will appreciate being able to make an adult decision with this money. If you are that concerned please buy more non perishable items and LOAD up their pantry for them. You can add paper towels, toilet paper, a subscription to the local newspaper and a book on coupon clipping. There are ways to make this money work for everyone but it's THEIRS.

I am making sure the money is spent appropriately....that means the money that I have worked so hard to collect, will be spent on something beneficial to EVERY member of the family. Tobacco products are not beneficial to 4 children in any capacity. If they choose to spend money, that has not been donated to better their lives, on cigarettes than that is fine. I personally would be TICKED if I donated money and then found out the person in charge let it be spent on tobacco and/or alcohol etc....

So, yes it is my business what they spend their "grocery" money on. I have been entrusted and have an obligation, to those folks that gave their hard earned money, for me to see that this family doesn't go without.

 

[taraprather]

We also adopted a needy family this year. We don't make that much (35k range) and hubby is in the car business. But my kids were all done for xmas so my hubby decided we'd adopt a family. He took a collection up at his work and collected a couple hundred dollars, lots of clothes, and plenty of food. When I finished the shopping (basically getting EVERYTHING on there christmas lists (even moms!) Another budget shopper here I still had a little left over. So I decided to get them a gift card to a grocery store in that amount.
I think they will really appreciate that, because that's one thing that they will always need.

 

[JackJack08]

We also adopted a needy family this year. We don't make that much (35k range) and hubby is in the car business. But my kids were all done for xmas so my hubby decided we'd adopt a family. He took a collection up at his work and collected a couple hundred dollars, lots of clothes, and plenty of food. When I finished the shopping (basically getting EVERYTHING on there christmas lists (even moms!) Another budget shopper here I still had a little left over. So I decided to get them a gift card to a grocery store in that amount.
I think they will really appreciate that, because that's one thing that they will always need.

Congrats to you!! What a lucky family.....Do you know what is so sad, about the family that we have collected for? When I asked if there were things that the kids were hoping for, I was told that they really don't ever wish for anything....because it isn't even a possibility. So sad.