Local non-profit groups hope to benefit from ‘Giving Tuesday’

It’s ‘Giving Tuesday’, a global day for individuals to give back to their local non-profit organizations and charities through donations or volunteering.

Residents around the world are encouraged to kick off the season of giving.

One local non-profit group hopes this will help them continue to make a difference in their community.

Imperial Valley Food Bank Executive Director Sara Griffen said, “It’s great to have it because it does bring a renewed focus to local charities that are trying very hard to do what they do in their communities.”

Social media has made it easy for residents to donate.

Devon Apodaca, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Imperial County, said, “Facebook and ‘Giving Tuesday’, has given people a way to help us. People that live very busy lives that can’t get down to the shelter whether it’s food supply, donations.”

‘Giving Tuesday’ is also bringing the community together.

“You know coming together to help us achieve great things. For these animals is…it’s…to us it’s phenomenal and we’re extremely appreciative,” Apodaca added.

With her donations already increased from last year, one non-profit founder knows she has the valley’s support.

Proyecto Heber founder Diahna Garcia Ruiz said, “More than anything, it tells me that we’re doing the right thing. That people believe in us. And I hope that people that are donating to us see what we are doing for our community.”

Facebook and PayPal are matching up to seven million dollars in donations on non-profit organizations and charities’ Facebook pages.