This is probably going to be the last thing I personally post about this but I just kinda want to put this out there.
I am currently living off my savings. I am also neurodivergent and disabled and chronically lacking in motivation most of the time. Even something with more than two steps can cause my brain to just. Refuse the task.
With all that being said, as much as I weep for the situation in Palestine and Gaza, I just do not have the spoons to verify or even check verification for the GFMs I am sent and I do not have the extra money to risk when there is verifiably a sea of GFM scams out there. I am sorry.
I understand if this comes off as racist, heartless, selfish, or white guilt. I don't want it to come across that way, but I do understand it.
That being said, it hit me this morning that charities like the UNRWA and the PCRF both allow you to make small automated monthly donations so that is what I have decided to do. I've set up a 5 dollar monthly donation to each of them and covered the taxes as well.
I know it isn't a ton, but it's an amount that will make a small difference without me noticing (and therefore I won't have to cancel it hopefully).
If I had any income that was excess, I would absolutely be donating more. But the fact of the matter is that I haven't been able to find a job that pays a living wage and thus I am currently hemorrhaging money on living expenses. I am thankful to have the savings to support me for a while, but I just cannot do more while I'm still in the red like this.
To all the legitimate refugees sending me asks, I am sincerely sorry that I do not have the ability to verify you and thus haven't been publishing your requests for help or donating to your GFM. I truly hope that you are able to escape this absolutely horrific genocide and I want to help- that's why I'm donating to vetted charities that will hopefully be able to get aid and supplies to you.
And to the scammers, go pound sand. And then maybe try to do something better with your life. You are making this harder for everyone. ❤️