(InvestigateTV) – The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday and is a great time to support local charities.

But because people have cut spending this year, charities are feeling the pinch.

For those who can’t afford to donate money this year, Leslie Tayne, a bankruptcy attorney, said they can donate their time by volunteering or donating gently used items to charities that accept them.

“In addition to cash, many charities also accept donations of blankets and sheets. “Certainly many local animal shelters are looking for donations of cleaning supplies and other items that would support the operations of these charities,” Tayne said. “Many of these charities have lists on their homepages of things that can even be donated through organizations like Amazon.”

Anyone wishing to donate money should always check that the charity is legitimate and in good standing. Charity Navigator is a respected resource for evaluating charities. Donors can search for any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

One can also view an organization’s budget to see where the money goes, how much money the CEO receives, and what percentage of the money donated actually goes to the people who need it most.

Don’t forget to request a receipt for tax purposes. Also be wary of organizations that pressure donations: this could be a sign of a scam. Finally, be very skeptical of organizations that ask for donations via gift cards or wire transfers.

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