When Giving Becomes a Problem : A Heartfelt Look at Excess Donations

At Kiboday, we’ve seen it all-boxes of clothes delivered with love, books packed with handwritten notes, food items carried in with hope. Each donation carries a part of someone’s heart. And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

But here’s something we don’t often talk about: what happens when we receive too much? When donations come in faster than we can sort, store, or distribute? As surprising as it sounds, there is such a thing as giving too much, and it can quietly become a problem.

The Hidden Cost of Unplanned Generosity

We know people mean well. That scarf knitted with love, those bags of old toys your children outgrew-these are powerful gestures. But when these items arrive in large quantities or without checking what’s needed, it overwhelms the system.

• Storage becomes a puzzle: Tiny NGO offices fill up with things they may never use.
• Time gets stretched: Volunteers spend hours sorting clothes instead of teaching, cooking, or supporting.
• Waste builds up: Unused or damaged items may eventually be discarded, which helps no one.
• Mismatches happen: Imagine sending winter jackets to a village that needs clean drinking water.

This isn't to say your kindness goes unnoticed-it just needs a bit more direction to truly make the impact you want.

Why Does This Happen?

It happens because we care. When we see someone in need, our first instinct is to help. We rush to give what we have at home-without always knowing what’s actually needed on the ground

And with social media encouraging massive giving drives, it's easy to get caught up in the moment. But a truckload of goods, no matter how generous, can sometimes create more work than relief if it's not aligned with the current needs of a community.

A Better Way to Give

We’re not asking you to stop giving. We’re asking you to give smarter. Give with purpose.

• Talk to us first: A message or call can help you understand what we really need right now.
• Think seasonally: Warm clothes in winter, school bags before the academic year-timing matters.
• Stick to verified lists: At Kiboday, we regularly post what our partnered NGOs need most. Those lists are built with care and urgency.
• Less can be more: One high-need item can be more valuable than ten random ones.

Your love deserves to reach the right hands in the right way. Let's make that happen together.

The Real Power of Giving

Giving is beautiful. But the real magic happens when we pair our generosity with empathy and understanding. When we take a moment to ask, "What do they truly need right now?"-that’s when our giving becomes truly powerful.

It’s not about giving more. It’s about giving meaningfully.

Let’s not donate just to clear out our closets. Let’s donate to light up someone’s life.

Join Kiboday in creating a culture of thoughtful giving. Donate with purpose. Support with intention. Give with love.