Big-hearted students short of cash may be eligible to receive gift card grants to purchase holiday gifts through The Financial Assistance Network, a privately funded non-profit public-interest organization.
The organization plans to distribute more than 10,000 gift card giveaway packages to Baton Rouge area residents this year. Individuals must have an income less than $32,121 to qualify for a $150 package.
“We are very excited about the gift card giveaway program, because several generous individuals and companies also are buying gift cards at national retailers for us to distribute to needy individuals and families,” said Gary Compton, Financial Assistance Network volunteer and spokesperson.
Financial Assistance Network expects to distribute around 50,000 gift cards nationally to consumers this year. The gift cards are for Internet and catalog retailers, in addition to national chains.
Erin Malone, chemical engineering sophomore, said she would use the gift card money to purchase gifts for needy people, because she enjoys buying presents for others.
However, creative writing senior Stephen Spradley is skeptical about the program.
“I don’t see how they will be able to regulate if people buy presents for other people or not,” he said. “It gives too much freedom to abuse the system.”
Spradley thinks the agency should focus more on people’s basic needs such as food, because it is more important than possessions. He also said the money would be more effective at discount stores instead of high-priced mall stores.
In addition to gift cards, Financial Assistance Network offers consumer publications with information on obtaining government grants and discounts on numerous products and services.
Qualified individuals can apply by sending five first-class stamps to Financial Assistance Network, Gift Card Giveaway Package GCG-01E, P.O. Box 60848, Washington, D.C., 20039-0948. Consumers can obtain more information at http://www.GiftCardGiveaway.com.
Additional philanthropy programs to donate to include the Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, Links to Literacy, Baton Rouge Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul.