For ages, people have struggled with the right way to give a helping hand to someone in need. From the old maxim about “teaching a man to fish” to common anxieties about what a homeless person might do with that five-dollar bill you gave him, the issue of giving has always been a complicated and contentious issue.
This week, The Guardian published an article overviewing Cash Transfer Schemes—a movement in some developing nations that connects donors directly to households that need just a bit of cash to tide them over. The recipients of the donations are, supposedly, vetted by the governments that enact the programs, and the administrative overhead is covered by the governments who sponsor the programs.
As a company, ShareNow is all about meeting people at their point of greatest need and helping them solve problems they face. That’s why we’re preparing to roll out Share[A]Pack—an innovative and exciting new product that helps people in some of the worst conditions around the world.
Share[A]Pack is a unique digital interface that allows people to create custom Packs that include vital resources for survival and sustainability in third-world countries. Each Pack has a particular theme, such as health or education, but the items that appear can be selected by the giver. Or, for those who need to give on-the-go, you can simply purchase a Pack that previous users have made. These Packs can then be shared through social media channels like Facebook, where friends can work together to meet greater and greater needs.
We’re excited about the work that non-profits and governments are doing to try to solve major world issues. We believe, however, that as a for-profit company, our motivation to keep expense overheads lean and to negotiate for minimal cost actually increases both the quality and quantity of good that we can do in the world. If you’d like more information about Share[A]Pack or any of ShareNow’s other upcoming initiatives, click the Contact link below.
