With the holiday season sneaking up, you’re probably very busy and ready for a restful break. But in the spirit of generosity and goodwill to all, here are three convenient digital resources you can use to give back – without taking up too much of your time and limited energy.

1. #GivingTuesday

Get involved in this global campaign that started in 2012, when the first Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday was named Giving Tuesday. The idea is that after two self-indulgent days of splurging on end-of-year sales, you shift your focus to helping those in need. Join the global movement by visiting givingtuesday.org or go to forgood.co.za where the campaign is being embraced at a national level, and you can pick one of the 34 opportunities that appeals to you. Then share your #GivingTuesday story on your social media with the hashtag to promote this worthwhile campaign.

2. ShareTheMeal

The world’s first app against global hunger was started by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). According to them, it costs just US$0.50 (about R15) to feed one child a day. All donations go towards WFP operations – 10% to administration and 90% to feeding those living in poverty across the planet. Your money will help feed the undernourished and vulnerable such as Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, school children in India and families in Palestine. Also, there is WFP humanitarianism happening on our own continent in Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, South Sudan, Lesotho and Malawi. ShareTheMeal is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

3. Donate a Photo

If money is tight, why not use your smartphone’s camera function to create cash for a cause you care about? Johnson & Johnson has developed an app that allows you to choose from categories that include Emergency Relief, Environmental Health and Essential Surgeries, then share a photograph for which they donate US$1 on your behalf. According to them, almost five million photos have helped more than 230 causes so far. That translates to close to five million dollars’ worth of giving back. Check out the gallery of their favourites to get some pointers and then put your own photography skills to the test. Download the Donate a Photo app in the App Store or Google Play Store.

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Header photo by Kat Yukawa on Unsplash