Donate Gift Cards
Did you get gift cards you don’t really want? Don’t throw them in a drawer or “try to use them up anyway.” Donate them to a charity where they can be used as donor rewards, to buy needed items, or put into baskets for auctions!
How to do it:
Check the terms of the gift card: does it expire? Have caveats? Is there a way to confirm the balance, if it doesn’t have a rub-off strip? Put the details on an index card and seal it all in an envelope. Address it to charity you like to support. It’s as simple as that!
You can even donate partially used gift cards, in some cases.
What if it’s to a place I’m boycotting?
The store already has the money, so instead of letting them collect interest, make sure spending it does the largest amount of good. An active picket is harder. Generally we’d say never cross one, but Starbucks cards offer bathroom and wifi access to unhoused people. Instead of holding on to it while Starbucks collects the interest, we say pass those cards on to people who are trying to survive the winter.
