I love hearing stories like this! Many people have perceptions of couponers as being hoarders and greedy. I know that this is just not the case. For example, Joe, a regular reader here at FTM, is making this donation today.
Here is the note from Joe:
This is our 2nd big food donation to the Cupboard at Calvary, a Food Pantry Mission. We received a thank you letter in the mail from them for our last donation. They said it ended up being 118 food items, weighing 90 pounds. Wonder how this round will stack up!
This is an example of how someone can use couponing to bless others. Some of you may not love all the processed/packaged food that is offered, but there are REAL hard working people who literally don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Stephanie was able to donate this to her foodbank – all through couponing. She even had 60 yogurts to add!
So thanks to Joe & Stephanie – and everyone else who is donating to a cause. I know many of you would NEVER be able to donate because of your own financial situation, but couponing makes it possible.
Has couponing allowed you to help others? We would love to hear your story.
Lynn says
We coupon all year and save all our goodies to donate at the local Elementary School as each grade collects something different around the Holidays or in times of need. These include pajamas, hats,gloves,mens and womens toiletries,pet food and care, toys ,books and of course food. Black Friday takes care of a lot of the clothing needs, Spring Clearance, and of course the weekly visits to the local Drug,Grocery and Dept stores. Right after Sandy, our community was in pretty bad shape, people living at the schools,etc and word went out for donations for personal items. We dropped of 4 big boxes of Bodywash, Qtips, soap,combs,hairties,razors,shave cream,shampoo and conditioner,deodorant, and all those packages of Always pads and liners that I was forever accumulating “just in case”! We also included some chocolate candies and some paperback books. It felt so good to be able to just grab a few boxes and start filling it with things people needed and know it didn’t hurt my budget because they were so cheap or free with my coupons…and I helped make a difference in someones day!
Mr. Bean says
I don’t personally know how to use so much toothpaste even giving it out to family. I need to take some to our church’s food bank again. There’s not room on the shelf.
Brenda says
My sister and I make hygiene kits for foster care kids. So often these kids are pulled out of homes without anything and a bag full of toiletries and a few fun toys or makeup bags for the older girls are great! We generally put together 10-12 kits each week and each bag has about $30 worth of products. We absolutely would not be able to do this without couponing!
Heather says
That is awesome! My son was diagnosed with Leukemia 3 months ago. I have been couponing for almost 7 months now. We had to stay in a Ronald McDonald House not long ago, & will have to go back when he has his bone marrow transplant. I have stocked up on so many items & food. So I have decided to get a few of my couponing friends to start collecting items to donate to the RMH. I plan to add some of my stuff & donate it all. These families need all the help they can get while their child is in the hospital. Some families are there for months at a time, & so far from home they are unable to work!
Lauren says
I’ve been donating to a child’s emergency shelter nearby to me. A lot of the teens there have babies so I try to send old clothes, toys, and of course baby toiletries as well.
Now I’m starting to collect for Coups for Troops to send overseas for Christmas care packages for soldiers deployed ove r the holidays. I’m lucky enough that the drop off location is about 2 hours away from me. They’re going to be getting A LOT of stuff. From now until October, that’s a lot of free stuff!!
Pauline says
Our church sends packages to service men every Easter and Christmas. I save all the toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant(Dollar Tree), shampoo, dental floss, body wash, wipes, cough drops, razors, chapstick, etc, that I get for free or nearly free and feel so good helping those that help keep us safe.
r.p. says
we have donated to our local women’s crisis center here too. they loved it when we brought nail polish, remover, detergent, etc. we found “pink” glucose meters , etc. we are so lucky and blessed. even our local salvation army has had to cut back(no more lunch as of right now and office hours were cut) as most donations right now went to tornado victims. our local food bank will take anything and give it away, toothpaste was a big item for awhile.
For the Mommas says
Yes I always suggest grabbing the toothpaste when it is available free!
Steph says
Our church has a food pantry, and the most requested item is laundry detergent. Last week, we posted instructions on our facebook page of how to get laundry detergent for $0.79 at Giant!
For the Mommas says
Awesome idea!
lin says
I was never in a position to do this until two years ago when I started couponing. Now I can take 3-4 bags a month to Open Line in Pennsburg, PA. We use what we need, and anything else goes over. I can get so much stuff for free, and even if we would never think of eating it, someone can use it. They were giving away Tena a few months ago. I can’t use it, but that stuff is expensive, so I picked up all I could and dropped it off. Really, who has the room to store all the toothpaste, shampoo and dental floss we’re constantly getting for nothing? Thanks for all your help Shannon, you are making a big difference. Just think how much you donate, then multiply that by the number of readers you have :)
For the Mommas says
Lin, It really does make me smile :) I love the generous spirit of all of you ladies/gents.
stephanie says
The most common items needed at food pantry’s are dried beans, rice, canned fruit, canned veggies (especially corn), peanut butter, jelly, canned tunafish, pasta sauce, pasta, low sugar cereal, flour and sugar. But honestly anything that you can donate is welcome! Most people think of donating around Thanksgiving/Christmas but people are down on their luck year round. And as sad as it is some people don’t have a means to cook things which is why these are some of the most popular items.
For the Mommas says
Stephanie, the local foodbank was almost bare last month. They were looking for anything they could get !
Lydia says
That is so awesome! What you said about the processed food…whether we like it or not, this is how a lot of people eat. And people can choose what they want when they visit the food bank so if they don’t prefer those things, they don’t have to take them!
Before my second child was born I bought a lot of stuff for a local food bank. In fact, they reimbursed me for what I bought for them because I was able to get it so much cheaper with my couponing than they ever could. It was so much fun! But once my 2nd child was born I just couldn’t keep up with it. Been thinking I should at least do it occasionally again though. Such a great way to help others out!