Give It Up – for John Key?
By | Mar 23, 2009
In a recent speech to Philanthropy New Zealand, John Key, encouraged New Zealanders to donate their tax cuts to charitable and other non-profit organisations that may otherwise struggle in a period of economic downturn. In a media interview on Radio Live on Friday, and in a press release from Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, attention was drawn to the website www.giveitup.org.nz. The website is an initiative by Mathew Bartlett, the Anglican Social Justice Commission and Catch Design to encourage people, to do just that; give it up.
New Zealanders are undoubtedly generous people; however, need is continuing to grow. Social service agencies in some areas have anecdotal evidence of an increase in food bank donations via parishes, although Southland and Christchurch in their latest reports have noted a drop off in contributions over the last 3-4 months while the number of people accessing those services continues grow. Throughout the country service providers are stretched to capacity.
Moreover, it is not just a greater contribution to food banks and other services that is required. The Grassroots Voices report put out by NZCCSS draws attention to the sense of shame many feel when they have to access these sorts of services. There is a powerlessness and humiliation that goes with no longer being able to support yourself or family.
The most positive solution offered for the global issues of climate change and peak oil is to localise and build community resilience. This would also make a valuable and positive contribution to issues of poverty and powerlessness in our communities. The statement regarding poverty and the financial crisis from the combined church leaders of New Zealand was entitled ‘Together We Can.’ This is true, provided we know one another; the Grassroots Voices report also highlighted just how many people experienced loneliness and isolation. Aroha tétahi ki tétahi – let us take care of one another.
There are possibilities for addressing these issues in the local church that I wonder if we have fully tapped. The first building built in a community was a church; churches still (physically at least) hold a central place in every area. Are there additional creative ways we can engage with the current social issues facing us? For example, what would a local currency or ‘time bank’ for service contribution look like? What if the hours anyone in the community contributed to up-skilling neighbours or building community resilience could be redeemed at a bulk food shop at a local church? Could this help the feeling of shame at accepting charity? Would it begin to address the lack of ability the market has for ascribing value to the hundreds of strengths and skills that exist in the non-market economy of our communities?
In the mean time there are still lots of small ways to help. www.giveitup.org.nz for example, thanks Mathew.
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Comments
Jolyon
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I didn’t make any reference to the part in John Key’s speech where he spoke of government leading by example. It didn’t seem to fit, but it might have been appropriate to comment on the irony at a time when the NZAid goal of poverty elimination is under threat, along with a proposal to draw it back into MFAT. See dontcorruptaid.org.nz for more details.
Jolyon
March 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am
What April 1 tax cuts will mean weekly
•Workers earning up to $40,000 a year: $0 ($10 for some who qualify for the independent earners’ credit).
•$50,000- $70,000: $18
•$80,000: $19
•$90,000: $22
•$100,000: $24