idealist.org

A Little Bit More: Exchange Favors

By Celeste Hamilton.

Ever needed a favor but were unsure of how to ask? Or had something to offer but didn't know how to give it away? If this sounds familiar, check out Friendly Favor and Meal Baby, two websites that will make you feel less sheepish and more organized with a few simple clicks.

Friendly Favor is a free service that relies on the kindness of your friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and more. From the mundane to the inventive, there are an endless range of favors you can ask for and offer. Maybe you need a babysitter, or advice on the best digital camera to buy. Or on the flip side, you're looking to lend your summer cabin out in exchange for a donation to the Red Cross. Simply sign-up on Friendly Favor, and the site will tap into your existing social networks—your email contacts or Facebook friends, for example—to spread the word. You can then return the favor through charitable donations, gift cards, and even good karma.


Photo courtesy Flickr user Emily Barney Similarly, Meal Baby adds an online element to the neighborly concept of helping those in time of need. Forget playing telephone tag to coordinate volunteers to bring over casserole dishes, pies, and more. Through a series of tools that include calendar planning, noting customized food options and more, Meal Baby organizes and arranges meals for easy delivery. Alternatively, you can buy a gift card for someone if you choose not to go the home-cooked meal route, or even donate to Feed the Children to help those outside your network.

If you feel like being creative, why not use these two services together? Maybe buy a restaurant gift card for a new mom, and agree to babysit. Or cook a meal for your friend who's recovering post-surgery in exchange for a recommendation on which local nonprofit to volunteer with. The possibilities for making someone feel good are endless.

This entry is one in an ongoing series about how we can all be taking small steps to help one another in tough times. Read all of our "A Little Bit More" posts here.