Plus, a new location for Jamie's Ice Cream
 
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37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.
 

Calling all helping hands

Charitable giving slumped 10.5% in 2022 — here’s how to give back locally
Interior view of the Copley Square Boston Public Library branch
Become an art and architecture tour guide at the Copley location or a Teen Program volunteer at various branch sites. | Photo by @wirangrongg
Giving USA released its annual report on charitable giving in the US — and after a record high of $517 billion in 2021, 2022 saw Americans give $499 billion total.

That’s a decrease of 3.4% without adjusting for inflation, and 10.5% in inflation-adjusted terms — making it the largest slump in charitable giving the US has seen since the Great Recession.

What caused the decline? Factors include individuals having less to give. While cost of living rose nationwide disposable personal income fell over 6% in 2022 when adjusted for inflation, and the stock market saw its worst overall performance since 2008. Meanwhile, charitable gifts that were given were economically less valuable due to inflation’s steep rise.

Want to make an impact? Here’s how to support local causes that matter to you.

Consider a recurring gift. Instead of donating one large gift at the end of the year, set up monthly, recurring, incremental gifts to the charity you want to support. This can help maintain nonprofits’ cash flow and ability to forecast revenue.

Don’t forget gifts are tax deductible. Make it easy by making gifts on a credit card — many accounts will automatically pull a list of all your charitable donations from the past year.

Volunteer your time. Have less to spend? Head to that “Volunteer” section on a local group’s web page — the good news is there are plenty of opportunities to give your time. Here are a few to get you started:
  • The Greater Boston Food Bank | Help end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts with a food sorting shift at the local food bank.
  • 826 Boston | Help student writers share their stories at the Roxbury organization’s tutoring center or in the K-8 and high school writers’ rooms.
  • Main Streets | Does your neighborhood have a Main Streets chapter? If so, they’ll host plenty of events to support local businesses and are always looking for helping hands.
euphoria
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 9
  • 2023 Children’s Arts and Crafts Workshops: Beacon Hill | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Myrtle Street Playground, 50 Myrtle St., Boston | Free | Bring the family for this summer arts and crafts workshop hosted by a local artist.
  • Age Strong Movement + Mindfulness Workshop | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | BCYF Vine Street Community Center, 339 Dudley St., Roxbury | Free | This yoga practice includes breathing techniques, seated postures, and standing poses.
  • South Boston Neighborhood Concert | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Medal of Honor Park, Lee Playground, E. Broadway at N. St., Boston | Free | This summer concert will feature tunes from “Be Kind Rewind 90s.”
Thursday, Aug. 10
  • Summer Salsa Nights | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5-7 p.m. | 131 Seaport Blvd., Boston | Free | Twirl the night away at the Seaport courtyard + learn new moves from Urbanity Dance.
  • Hubbub Comedy Night | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Lamplighter CX, 110 N First St., Cambridge | $15-$20 | Doors open at 7 p.m. for a night of local laughs from Cambridge-based comedy group, Hubbub Comedy.
Friday, Aug. 11
  • West Roxbury Movie Night | Friday, Aug. 11 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Hynes Playground, 502 VFW Pwy., Roxbury | Free | Bring the family to the park for a screening of “Lightyear” with special space programming.
Saturday, Aug. 12
  • GLD FSTVL | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 12-10 p.m. | City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston | Free | Celebrate hip-hop history and culture with EARTHGANG, dead prez + local artists.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Coming Soon
  • A Brookline ice cream shop, Jamie’s Ice Cream Co., is expanding to open a new location in Cambridge at 86 Kirkland St. The new shop will serve homemade ice cream, offer indoor seating for up to 25 guests, and have a patio space for ~15 people. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
Development
  • New Balance shared plans with the BPDA to revamp the one-story warehouse at 131 North Beacon St. in Brighton, with a six-story, 76-unit condo building. If approved, the ground floor would have retail space, the building would feature 48 parking spaces, and ~13 units would be designated for affordable housing. (Universal Hub)
Arts
  • Boston-based artist, illustrator, and sculptor Pete Moulthrop was selected by Warner Bros. Discovery to create for the Artist Series Collection. The artist is best known for the “Bearded Tales of Woe” and for his combination of humor and macabre. Pete’s new artwork will be showcased online as part of the studio’s Centennial celebration.
Health
  • Mass General Brigham will launch a new patient transfer and access center. This new addition will help improve patient flow throughout the hospital system by using staff that specializes in matching patients with the appropriate level of care at the best location. (Boston Business Journal)
Number
  • $3.74. That’s the average price for a gallon of gas in Massachusetts, according to AAA Northeast. This is an 19-cent increase from a few months ago, however still lower than the national average of $3.84.
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Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
 
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Read
  • The latest Kindle model — the Kindle Paperwhite — boasts a glare-free display, warm light options for night, and is waterproof from the beach to the bath.
Trending
  • The buzziest deodorant in the beauty scene: Lume whole body deodorant. Free of aluminum or baking soda, it offers odor protection anywhere and everywhere.
Award
  • The 2023 Etsy Design Award Winners are here. Check out extraordinary, imaginative items including cactus leather bags, whimsical dandelion lamps, and donut mugs.
Pets
  • Want to give your pup a paw-sitive surprise? Spoil them with treats from Botanical Bones – guaranteed to fit any pup’s personality.
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The Wrap
 
Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica
From the editor
Today is my husband’s 30th birthday. Let me know if there are any local companies that do birthday freebies to help make the day extra special.

Happy birthday, Dawson.
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