Sadaqa begins at home

Allah S.W.T. has made it so easy for us to seek rewards, even taking care of the basic responsibilities as a guardian/ care giver is considered as the best kind of sadaqa.

Sadaqa is closely defined as  - Giving something to somebody without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention to please Allah OR voluntary charity .

Providing for the basic needs of the family is an obligation on the male member of the family, but to spend on them with happiness while seeking Allah's pleasure becomes a source of reward. Islam teaches us to take care of our family,  to help and provide for the them .

We are asked to look after our family,our relatives, our neighbors, our community .. roughly in that order. Charity surely begins at home, fulfilling the responsibilities of your dependents is regarded as Sadaqa! SubhanAllah !!

Following Hadiths will give a better understanding of the topic -

Narrated Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari:
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him."
[Sahih Al Bukhari volume 7, book 64, hadith 263]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said, "The best alms is that which you give when you are rich, and you should start first to support your dependants."

[Sahih Al Bukhari volume 7, book 64, hadith 269] 

Thauban reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his animal in Allah's path, and the dinar he spends on his companions in Allah's path. Abu Qilaba (one of the narrators) said: He (the narrator) started with family, and then Abu Qilaba said: Who is the person with greater reward than a person who spends on young members of his family (and thus) preserves (saves them from want) (and by virtue of which) Allah brings profit for them and makes them rich.
[Sahih Muslim Book 5, chapter 12, hadith 2180]

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Of the dinar you spend as a contribution in Allah's path, or to set free a slave, or as a sadaqa given to a needy, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spent on your family.
[Sahih Muslim Book 5, chapter 12, hadith 2181]