[mgmetts]

Wow you are amazing. I hope to be as kind as you!

[countrygal7906]

It's always a blessing when we can help someone in need and I'm sure you will be paid back in more ways then you know.

Just a little advice take a black marker and mark through the bar code if you don't know the person you R giving to. This will stop any one from trying to return this stuff for money. We give this stuff so the family can benefit and you want to make sure that's where this stuff is going.

[meandmy3boys]

What a true blessing to the family you have been. That is awesome

[schmidt00]

That's awesome! I bet they are truly touched by your generosity and probably THRILLED to be getting name brand stuff! We all know how important that is to teens!

[anmpooh]

Maybe after she gets back on her feet you can *teach* her how to "coupon".. I bet she would really appreciate that.





Mandie

[helenpooh]

MoneyMateKate :: May I know how you found them? I tried to find donations sites and even family who are in need but no luck as of right now

[sar1]

That is such a wonderful project you've taken on! Your list is a great combination of basics and nice-to-haves. The best part is it sounds like you've given others here some good ideas! Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging us to do more.

[Soccballmom]

that's awesome. They will never forget your acts of kindness. You are making a big difference in their lives. That's huge!

[MoneyMateKate]

Originally Posted by countrygal7906

Just a little advice take a black marker and mark through the bar code if you don't know the person you R giving to. This will stop any one from trying to return this stuff for money. We give this stuff so the family can benefit and you want to make sure that's where this stuff is going.

I could only get Ragu w/meat in the Walgreens Unilever deal last week, and she had asked for non-meat if possible. I was lucky to even FIND 8 items to do the deal in one store (Manhattan has pitiful shelfspace), and all they had was meat sauce. I took the risk and offered her the receipt so she could exchange them at a better-stocked Walgreens, but she declined, said meat was fine. She really wants the food.

Originally Posted by anmpooh

Maybe after she gets back on her feet you can *teach* her how to "coupon".. I bet she would really appreciate that.

She asked me to teach her right off the bat, and I steered her to the Walgreens Ecotrin deal a couple of weeks ago to get her started with some totally free money in the system, but it looks like the coupon cat machine was broken or off. I blogged about this, and one of my readers sent her a GC for Walgreens to pick up the bits that coupons and Register Rewards don't cover. Funny how people trust my judgment more than their own...I was deeply touched, as was the mom.

Originally Posted by helenpooh

MoneyMateKate :: May I know how you found them? I tried to find donations sites and even family who are in need but no luck as of right now

It took a few weeks of searching and waiting, but I was looking on Craigslist (Items Wanted, Volunteers) and Freecycle. I searched on the items I wanted to give away, as well as more general stuff like "food" and "soap". I came across a couple of charities that unfortunately were not close enough to work out - there's a social worker on Long Island who posts frequently for supplies for her families, and then there's a man in Danbury, CT who does a "Wish List Wednesday" posting for local charities in the Volunteers section. You have to overlook some of the anger in the personal request postings - apparently the women get bombarded with unbelievably nasty ("you should have had an abortion, you're a lousy mother") and creepy ("I'll give you $50 if I get to meet your daughters") responses [apologies to AFC admin if it was inappropriate to give those examples]. When they hear from a woman like you or me, they are heartbreakingly grateful.

I just offered one big batch of goodies, but when I met her and got more background on her situation and a better idea of what she and her kids needed, the more I wanted to help. I'd say this was the best way to go about it - give the impression that it's a one-shot deal, and see if they're a comfortable match for your generosity.

Once upon a time, a young friend of mine posted on a CafeMom forum at Christmastime that she had an extra $20 in her Christmas budget and would like to give small gifts to a needy family. She shut the post down after she got 7 replies from truly troubled moms asking for things like toddler socks and used children's books. You might try doing something similar on that site or one like it, offering your coupon booty (something specific, like personal care or cleaning products) to a local family in need and seeing what happens.

[preciousgirl1120]

You have a very giving heart and will be blessed!!!!

[Smurfytigger]

I think what you are doing is great! I dontate to my local food bank , but would really love to find a family or person/s that I can help directly. Anyone know how I can go about finding someone in such need that i can directly help?
I have a huge stockpile and LOVE to help others.
AFC has helped me soo much, I want to give back.

[acewarriormom]

I REALLY needed to read this thread today. What a blessing AFC members can and will be to others. With all the bad news that is reported each day, it is refreshing to see that there are wonderful people out there.....willing and ready to help anyone they can.

While we are not rich.....We have so much more than so many people. I know I am blessed. And I truly believe that 'To whom much is given, much is required'. I just started heavily into couponing a few months ago, but I have a pretty good stockpile going now. My son is a Marine and will be going to Afghanistan in the next few months. Much of the stockpile will be shipped overseas, but I know there are people in my community that need help too.

This thread has given me the 'spark' that I needed to find a way to help another family....here at home. Helping those in need is the heart of 'loving your neighbor'.

[sams3girls]

Yeah that's great to help others .I try to help the ones I know around me .Alot of family and friends having bad times right now.I hope this world gets better soon.

[Jenn'sCup]

This is so sweet of you!

[MoneyMateKate]

Expecting my "Working Poor Mom" this afternoon. This week's haul includes:

1 gallon of milk
3 cans of tuna (Wags 59-cent special)
2 jars Ragu (Wags Unilever deal)
1 jar Skippy PB (Wags Unilever deal)
1 box Kellogg's Corn Pops (ShopRite, free, she's already well-stocked from past visits!)
6 bananas
3 apples
1 Aquafresh toothpaste (Wags MM deal)
2 packs Kotex pads (CVS deal)
10 packs Wrigleys (Wags + BOGO deal = 3 cents a pack!)
8oz block of pepper jack cheese (.88 at Shoprite)
1 bar Yardley soap (Wags sale - she requested soap)
1 roll Bounty Basic paper towels (.14 Rite Aid deal 2 months ago)
1 bottle Coppertone SPF 50 (Rite Aid SCR deal last month = $1.20!)
8 Soy Joy bars (CVS deal last week - 2 each of 4 flavors. If they like them, I'll hand over another 24)

I know it all seems a bit random, but this is my 4th (I think) care package, and I've given her things she can use in conjunction with the above, like pasta, mayo, mustard, salad dressing, etc. I've also given her tons of deo, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. to hold her for a good long time - otherwise you'd see those on the list too.

Actual OOP = $9
Would have been $6, but my new Wags enforced the "RRs can't be used on dairy" exclusion. Forgot about that - used to CVS and their more liberal ECBs.

[helenpooh]

thanks MoneyMateKate

[VintageTink]

You have inspired me to try to find someone to help as well. I just replied to a young mother and hope to get a response from her soon. She sounds genuine and i def made it seem like it would be just a one time thing and that iw ould come to her and what not. Thank you for showing me another way to give

[schmidt00]

How cool is that?!!!

[goofysgarage]

Taught 2-3 year olds in saunday school and you would be an excellent example of what they call angels with skin on! Good job and thanks

[mgmetts]

Awesome!

[kimmyann123]

wow! this is such a great idea! ive helped with donating to womens shelters in the past,makes you feel really good to be able to help someone,every little bit counts,sometimes i donate kids clothes to the womens resource center,or movies for the safe houses,they really need some stuff for the women,they usual have a ton for kids,but people tend to forget things for the adult women,like movies to watch when the kids go to bed...

[MoneyMateKate]

This week's care package (really must put batteries in the digital camera...):

2 boxes of Ronzoni
1.5 lbs ground beef
2 x 8oz bags shredded mozzarella
2 x .5oz bottles of Clear Eyes ($5.49 on sale for .99 at Rite Aid this week!)
2 bags of chocolate Chex Mix
2 cans of tuna
2 x 16oz bottles of Kraft salad dressing
2 x 50ct Excedrin Extra Strength ($1 profit @ Shoprite!)
2 boxes of cereal, Cheerios & Trail Mix Crunch
2lb box of sugar + 7 Kool-Aid packets
Pillsbury cake mix + BCrocker icing
3-bar pack of Ivory soap
1 bottle of Dawn
1 bottle of 2x Dynamo
2 bottles of French's mustard
1 can Maxwell House coffee
Total OOP: $12.50

...and a $3RR for Walgreens. I was going to pick up certain edible things that are possibly, ahem, excluded from RR use, but figured she could do it on her own when she didn't have quite so much to carry. I normally wouldn't do this, but the only thing worth rolling into at Wags this week isn't included in my NYC area flyer.

[karenvallone]

Wow . all I can say is "You are an angel."

[isavealot5]

Angel in the city...awesome, awesome gesture!
I love this care package you prepared this week.

[helenpooh]

wow! They are sure lucky to have you. You are such a wonderful person