[sar1]

I have made small donations of stockpile items here and there or when I dropped off clothes, etc at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I recently decided I'll be focusing my stockpile and freebie extras to the Domestic Violence Center in my town. They have a wishlist online that makes it easy for me to know what to look for. I've been setting aside things for a while, but just recently the Fill Their Cups forum has really motivated me to get moving on it. I emailed the center to get more information on their needs and told them I'd be dropping off a bag or two on Tuesday. I had to give myself a deadline!

Here's what I'm bringing as my first "big" stockpile donation:
1 10-pk Capri Sun
2 bottles Ocean Spray
1 Hamburger Helper
1 Crystal Light drink mix for quarts
4 pkgs pantiliners
3 tampon trial size pkg (4 ct)
2 deodorant
1 body wash
2 Dawn liquid
1 Bic Soleil
1 Bic Soleil refills
3 shampoo
Ziploc bag full of feminine hygiene samples (they ok'd this)

I'm mad at myself for letting some "non-perishable" stockpile food go past the expiration date b/c they won't accept it. I have no problem eating it, but I understand why they don't want it. If I had gotten my butt in gear sooner I would have had a lot more food for them.

ETA: reading this again it doesn't really sound like a lot of stuff, but I had cut way back on stockpiling a while ago. I'm getting more motivated again to pick up freebies for donations.

*UPDATE: Dropped off the 2 bags this morning (6-30). Can't wait to do it again!

[momster4de3]

Great plan! If you can't eat the food before you think it's too far past date, local food banks will take non-perishables (at least our local one does). I agree that it's wonderful to share and be a blessing to others. My "others" right now are my kids recently on their own. They've come shopping at mom's and made an enormous dent in my stockpile. I'm working on getting it back up before they are "needing" again.

[applerama]

awesome donation

[Amberbamber]

I think it's wonderful that you took the time and made the effort. I mean it's not the quantiity, it's the fact that you cared enought to be a person of action. I admire that you did such a nice thing! Way to go!

[karenvallone]

I totally agree with the others its, it may not seem like alot until its given to someone who truly needs and appreciates it. You have motivated me as well, I am gonna check out my womens shelter and see what I can come up with. Thank you for the inspiration!

[sar1]

Well, I'm not one of the bigger stockpilers here on AFC, but I know a lot of others donate regularly and I'd love to see more people post in this new forum. It's a real motivator! There is a TON of information and ideas in the Operation "Fill Their Cups" forum. Operation "Fill Their Cups" - Grocery Coupons & Deal Forums - A Full Cup

[theadrienne]

Great job sar1. Every bit helps, so don't feel badly about how much you donate. The fact that you're donating at all is a wonderful thing! BIG KUDOS!

Since I'm getting the hang of couponing, my goal is to get a stockpile to help my students/families. I teach in a school where most of the students receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. We try very hard to get holiday meals to those in need. I hope to stockpile so that every family in need not only gets wonderful holiday meals, but also have enough to eat daily. I will be talking with my principal to see what we can do about setting up a food bank in our school. Anyone out there have any info. on how this can be done? Does your school have one? TIA!

[AngieP]

awesome!!!! this part makes stockpiling so worth it ~ keep it up

[lovelyscraps]

Great Job! It sounds like you are doing great on your first donation!! I know food banks appreciate any food or beauty products. My Dad runs a FB in Augusta, GA and we always bring a carload of stuff when we visit - they also appreciate the Blood Glucose Meters (different agencies like to have them on hand b/c many of the poor are diabetic).

[lovelyscraps]

Originally Posted by theadrienne

Great job sar1. Every bit helps, so don't feel badly about how much you donate. The fact that you're donating at all is a wonderful thing! BIG KUDOS!

Since I'm getting the hang of couponing, my goal is to get a stockpile to help my students/families. I teach in a school where most of the students receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. We try very hard to get holiday meals to those in need. I hope to stockpile so that every family in need not only gets wonderful holiday meals, but also have enough to eat daily. I will be talking with my principal to see what we can do about setting up a food bank in our school. Anyone out there have any info. on how this can be done? Does your school have one? TIA!

Hey Theadrienne,
I would recommend talking to your local food bank and see what they suggest. I think you have to have non profit status (a govt. issued #) to open a food pantry and get food from a food bank. - If the principal gives the ok though maybe you could do a food pantry closet and fill it with donations for families who need things.
Good luck!!
Sarah

[theadrienne]

Originally Posted by lovelyscraps

Great Job! It sounds like you are doing great on your first donation!! I know food banks appreciate any food or beauty products. My Dad runs a FB in Augusta, GA and we always bring a carload of stuff when we visit - they also appreciate the Blood Glucose Meters (different agencies like to have them on hand b/c many of the poor are diabetic).

It would have never occurred to me to donate Blood Glucose Meters. I'll have to start getting them when they end up being free since nobody I know uses them. Thanks!

[schmidt00]

You rock. I don't know what feeling is better... getting stuff for free or donating it?!!

[theadrienne]

Originally Posted by lovelyscraps

Hey Theadrienne,
I would recommend talking to your local food bank and see what they suggest. I think you have to have non profit status (a govt. issued #) to open a food pantry and get food from a food bank. - If the principal gives the ok though maybe you could do a food pantry closet and fill it with donations for families who need things.
Good luck!!
Sarah

I didn't know that...I guess we can do an unofficial food pantry and do a food closet. I'll see what the principal has to say. Thanks for the info.!

[MrsFuentes]

That is awesome. I actually, just called the local Domestic Violence center on Friday to find out what donations they take, and I will be donating soon. It a way for me to give back, as previously in my past I was a domestic violence victim and they helped me when i needed it. Its a great organization.

[nilennovy]

Good job! It's so nice to be able to share the stockpile of stuff.

Originally Posted by lovelyscraps

Great Job! It sounds like you are doing great on your first donation!! I know food banks appreciate any food or beauty products. My Dad runs a FB in Augusta, GA and we always bring a carload of stuff when we visit - they also appreciate the Blood Glucose Meters (different agencies like to have them on hand b/c many of the poor are diabetic).

I didn't know who takes the glucose meters so I will have to see if my food banks will them, thanks for the tip!

[carmended]

Great donation!!!

[Pepsilady405]

WTG you!!

[mandarn]

Awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing

[MeganK]

You are a wonderful person!
I love seeing all the donations posts