What Can $50 Do? | Investing in Kindness Blog

Yesterday someone gave me $50. It was completely unexpected. It made me stop and think: what good can I do with this $50?

It started with a quick stop at a gas station to buy a lottery ticket. The estimated jackpot was $1.6 billion. Enough to say, it felt worth a shot. When I see a jackpot of this size, I always think about what good could be done with that amount of money. Yes, there are already plans fully defined, just in case.

While standing in line, I noticed the man near me drop a box of cigarettes that landed behind him as he fumbled with his wallet. I stood there watching for a moment, waiting to see if he would notice or if someone else would pick them up.

I felt conflicted. Cigarettes are bad for you. Part of me thought maybe he would step on them and not smoke them. My mind immediately went to my grandmother. She smoked, and when I was younger, I would hide her cigarettes for obvious reasons. While my intentions were good, she did not appreciate the unwanted treasure hunts without even a map that my brother and I would send her on.

Knowing that he would likely just buy another pack anyway, I tapped him on the shoulder and told him that he had dropped them. He turned around, smiled, and said thank you. I went back to waiting for my ticket.

A few minutes later, he tapped me on the shoulder. He handed me fifty dollars. He thanked me again and said I could buy myself something or give it to someone who needed it. Then he wished me happy holidays and walked away.

I stood there for a moment, genuinely shocked. I was surprised, and it actually brought a bit of tears to my eyes. It was a mix of fascination, emotion, and being caught off guard by an unexpected human moment. Then I stepped forward and bought my ticket.

What I liked the most, was what he said: or give it to someone who needs it.

That single line immediately sparked my curiosity. I asked myself: what good could this $50 do?

That felt like a question worth exploring, and a good one to share with the Investing in Kindness community.

So, I will ask you the same question. What good would you do with $50?

Below are a few practical examples. This is not an exhaustive list. It is meant to prompt thinking and action.

The basics: food, warmth, and shelter

Food: Stock a community fridge or mutual aid pantry. Fresh produce, shelf-stable food, or hygiene supplies can support multiple households.
Warmth: Provide warm clothing or blankets to a local shelter. Cold exposure is a real and immediate risk, and direct items matter.
Shelter: Donate to a domestic violence shelter, where flexible funds are often used for essentials, transportation, and emergency needs.

Animals: care and welfare

Animal shelters: Donate pet food, blankets, or toys to local shelters.
Animal sanctuaries: Support animal rescue or sanctuary work. Veterinary care, food, and shelter costs are ongoing, and smaller donations still matter.

Community

Adopt a family: Sponsor a family in need through local charities to help provide meals or gifts.
Visit facilities: Spend time at senior centers or hospitals, following visitor guidelines, by reading, talking, or simply being present.
Shop and give: Buy gifts from companies that donate a portion of their proceeds, or purchase charity cards where proceeds support a cause.

Food is often where I start, because no one should go hungry. Here are a few organizations you may want to look into:

Chilis on Wheels: “Through services such as meal shares, food demos, clothing drives, and mentorship, our network of partners work in areas all around the country to help make veganism accessible to communities in need. We provide networks of support and build strong empowered communities within the areas that we serve, and work with groups providing food to the community to transition their food offerings to plant-based meals.”
Community Solidarity: “We exist to end hunger, poverty, and homelessness; completely and permanently.”
A Well-Fed World: “A Well-Fed World is a plant-based hunger relief and climate advocacy organization that strengthens global food security by nourishing people in need and facilitating food systems transformation that maximizes personal, public, and planetary health for current and future generations.”
Generation Vegan: “Access to sufficient, nutritious, enjoyable foods is a basic human right. At Generation Vegan, we act in solidarity with different communities all around the world—from displaced peoples, to children, to those fighting for labor rights—by offering delicious plant-based meals. At the same time, we seek to educate more widely about veganism, and its role in creating a kinder, safer, and healthier world for all.”
Food Yoga International: “Food Yoga International (FYI), formerly known as Food for Life Global serves as the international headquarters for an international network of over 250 affiliate projects in 65 countries serving over 1 million plant-based meals daily. To date, Food Yoga International has served over 8 billion free meals and is the world’s largest food relief organization. Our mission is to address the root cause of hunger and other social issues through teaching equality of all life through the liberal distribution of plant-based meals prepared with loving intention.”
Plants on Wheels: “Plants On Wheels is a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty and food insecurity in New York City. By distributing nutritious plant-based meals and essential clothing, we strive to create a community where everyone has the resources to thrive. Join us in making a difference and building a healthier, more equitable future.”

As the year comes to a close, I encourage you to consider what your $50 could do. Or your $5. Small gestures matter. They add up. A very small moment in a gas station line sparked my curiosity about impact, and I hope it gets some of you thinking too.

Wishing everyone a thoughtful holiday season and a strong start to 2026.