Local charities see spike in donations during holidays

JACKSON, Tenn. — Local charities said donations pour in this time of year. Nonprofits encourage people to give before Jan. 1 and get a tax deduction.

Regional Inter-Faith Association Executive Director Lisa Tillman said they see an increase in giving around the holidays. “This is typically what takes us from red to black,” she said.

Goodwill said donations rose 50 percent from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31 in 2015. “Folks like to get the new stuff in and the old stuff out,” Goodwill Career Solutions District Manager Sandra Hickey said.

The Internal Revenue Service allows a tax deduction for each item, but Goodwill said it is up to the donor to estimate each item’s value. “We can give you receipts for that, so that when you donate your items you do get something back for it,” Hickey said.

Goodwill said donations help educate, train and employ workers like Joseph Scott, who has been with the company about a year. “It gave me a job,” Scott said. “I’m disabled, and it gave me a job.”

RIFA said it needs prayers, volunteers, donations for the thrift store and financial contributions.

“It doesn’t matter the time of year,” Tillman said. “The needs are always the same.”

Goodwill said if you have not worn an item, used it, or played with it in one year, it is probably time to donate. Goodwill has 10 drop-off spots in West Tennessee.

If you’re interested in donating to RIFA, visit their website.