A Hassle-Free Way to Give While You Shop Online

The Modern Shopping Experience

Many of us can remember a time before the rise of the internet allowed us to shop online. Getting the best deal required things like checking a newspaper, cutting a coupon, or getting up before the sun to access the big sales. We were limited by store hours and stocked shelves. But no longer.

Since 1995, when online shopping began with Amazon and a few other companies, we’ve seen convenience accelerate at lightning speed. No longer does a good deal necessitate such sacrifice and restriction. These days, a simple download of an app, or a click of a button, and our wares arrive right at our door at a bargain price. And not just big ticket items. Groceries. School supplies. You name it.

Now, online shopping accounts for almost 28% of all shopping. That’s one in four people. And since 2013, shoppers have been able to take that convenience even further to do some meaningful giving back while shopping—through a program called AmazonSmile. With the simple click of a button, you can shop for a cause and have big impact in your community.

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon. The specially allocated site donates .5% of the price of eligible purchases to the shopper’s preferred charitable organization. This might seem like a pretty small amount, but the numbers add up. As of March of this year, organizations around the world have racked up nearly $400 million in donations, with virtually no cost or hassle. That’s worth investigating.

How Do I Get Started with AmazonSmile?

To begin donating, head to the AmazonSmile page from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. Click “Get Started.” Amazon uses the same account for Amazon and AmazonSmile, so if you already have an Amazon account, you’ll be prompted to sign in. If not, you’ll set up your free account. This is a bonus, because you’ll find your previous shopping, wish lists, and registries right there.

Next, you’ll choose your preferred organization. Make sure you choose “Feed the Need Missions” in the search bar. You’ll know it’s us by the Bastrop location. We are listed as a Human Service organization. Once you select us, you can start shopping. Just make sure that you’re on the AmazonSmile page when you start adding things to your cart.

Something to note—not all amazon items are eligible for AmazonSmile donations. Make sure you look for “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” stamp in the product’s description. If it is not there, the product will not count toward your total donation.

Watch Your Impact Grow

Once you start shopping, you’ll be able to track your contributions to see your impact grow. You’ll receive periodic statements via email, or you can simply click on the “Supporting” tab at the top left of the screen when you log in. There you’ll see what you’ve accumulated, as well as the total donations to Feed the Need Missions.

Guilt-Free Shopping

With online shopping becoming the growing norm, why not connect yours to a great cause? Shake off the guilt for spending by adding some community impact. We’d love for you to support Feed the Need Missions through your shopping so that you can enjoy knowing while you’re getting what you need, you’re also giving back physically and spiritually to those in need.