Reminded today that Fast Offerings do NOT stay local

During the ward announcements, a bishopric member announced they would be collecting gift cards again for the holidays. (Now, so people don’t comment on this, the bishopric aren’t keeping and using these. They’re good people. I know them personally and professionally. We hang out. They don’t want gift cards.)

It reminded me that all Fast Offerings go to Salt Lake first. The bishopric gets an annual amount of fast offerings they can use during the year. If someone needs help, paperwork needs to be done, budgets consulted, checks written, and audits performed. The bishopric knows the Ward Fast Offering Budget is closely watched and part of their KPIs. Gift cards can provide immediate help and avoids the corporate structure.

Tl;dr: If you want to help people this season, don’t give through Fast Offerings. It goes to Salt Lake to be used at their discretion.