Are Car Donations a Blessing or a Curse During Economic Hardship?

June 11, 2008

It may seem like that no matter what the economy is like in America, one thing that never changes is the fact that, for the majority of the US citizens, automobiles are a way of life. Whether it is getting to work or going to the movies, automobiles have fully entrenched themselves in the lives of the American public. With that said, it comes as no surprise that the rising cost of gasoline has definitely put a severe crunch on the American lifestyle, hurting the pockets of everyone who depends on motorized wheels to achieve a successful lifestyle.

Further complicating the problem is when a car breaks down or is otherwise out of service. What can a poor family do when they are unable to depend on a vehicle for transportation? Truly, these circumstances are quite devastating when it comes to plenty of Americans who depend on a single vehicle for transportation.

There is hope, however. According to a national network named Opportunity Cars, there are over 150 non-profits around America that provide low-cost used vehicles to those in need, supplying the people who qualify with vehicles that are several times cheaper than what is usually the price being asked for them.

This blessing brings with it a wealth of good news. The vehicles themselves allow people to cut their ties with welfare programs, which frees up tax dollars. The parties are even empowered with the ability to acquire jobs, and just as important, maintain their current jobs because of the gracious donation given to them. All together, the issue of being without transportation is eliminated and these people are able to involve themselves with society in fully productive ways.

The benefit of procuring a car donation even extends to those who rely on public transportation. Some people, who have received a donation car while relying on public services, have found that the time it takes them to perform their daily duties have been significantly reduced. For instance, one individual has claimed that the time it takes her to get to work has been reduced to 30 minutes from over an hour.

However, not everyone believes that these charity programs are truly farsighted enough to help people, and instead are saddling individuals with the hefty expenses of car ownership. Scott Bernstein, prominent member of the CNT in Chicago, or Center for Neighborhood Technology, has said that the vehicles merely contribute to the growing expenses of urban sprawl. He believes that a better alternative who be to focus on improving mass transit and providing businesses better incentives to move their operations closer to transit lines — or even to provide their own commuting opportunities.

Bernstein also agrees with the fact that the growing costs of gas prices are something that has to be factored in when pursuing a donation vehicle, and that other matters such as maintenance and insurance should be considered as well.

Despite the costs of vehicle ownership, for a lot of people, owning a car isn’t so much an option but a requirement. In this sense, plenty of individuals are making the most of what they have to deal with. For example, one gentleman has taken the opportunity to improve his income while building credit with the vehicle. In the end, it’s like how the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, you made lemonade.”

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