Hello. My name is Adam Harvey and I’m a do-gooder. I hold doors open for people, send gifts for no reason, and I do pro bono work for non-profits. I firmly believe in paying it forward whenever possible. Naturally, I’ve been exploring apps that help make that a little easier. From simple apps that prompt you to do small acts of kindness, to ones that help you feed a child on the other side of the world or help you build your personal relationships, these apps make it clear that there are lots of folks out there who think we can change the world, one good deed at a time. How will you choose to help?
1. Pay it Forward ($0.99)
The tasks are really simple, but the impact can be big. They range from helping out our planet (by picking up litter) to helping spread good vibes (by visiting the elderly or telling someone what you like about them).
There’s a way to suggest deeds to add to the list of potentials as well as a way for teachers and students to participate as a classroom. If you’re the competitive type, there’s also a Leaderboard where you can see who’s the goodest good-doer of all.
2. Feedie (free)
You’re all guilty of it. I’m guilty of it too on occasion, but sometimes I just can’t help but take a picture of some really awesome food to share with my friends on social media. After all, if you don’t take a picture, it didn’t happen! Feedie is an awesome app created by The Lunchbox Fund for people like us who are guilty of sharing the occasional food pic. Now we have a way to actually turn those pictures into a school lunch for kids in South Africa.
Sign up via Facebook or Twitter, and visit a participating restaurant. When you use the app to take and post a photo of your food, the restaurant makes a donation to The Lunchbox Fund! They in turn send a lunch to a child in need. It’s that simple!
3. Kindr (free)
Kindr makes it really easy to put a smile on someone’s face. With this app you can send someone (who doesn’t have to also have the app) a compliment, congratulations, or just a silly gif. No matter what you choose, it’s all designed to make the recipient smile.
You can add personal notes to images and gifs, and search curated feeds to discover different ways to be kind. You can even create your own Kindr and tailor it to a specific buddy. The creators of the app seem to have thought of everything and encourage you to spread some positive energy every day.
4. Instead (free)
Change the world a few bucks at a time! Instead helps you realize how just a little bit of spare change can impact someone in need. Their app store description uses the example of brewing coffee at home. When you choose to do that instead of buying one, you can donate the savings and help provide clean water for a child in South Sudan for a whole year.
This app is out to prove that making some small changes in your own lifestyle can make a tremendous impact on that of another. And it’s easy. Just choose a way to help through Instead. Then, when you skip that lunch out, donate the money to a cause supported by Instead.
Whether you choose to do small, random acts, feed a kid by taking a picture of your juicy steak dinner, make someone you know smile, or donate cash instead of buying that Green Eye at Starbucks there are many ways to do good in this world. If we all gave it just a few moments of effort every day, the world truly would be a better place.