[MoneyMateKate]

When I have a huge stockpile of one thing (cereal, shampoo, toothpaste, tampons, deodorant, condiments), I take it to a favorite shelter for runaway teens. However, I get a lot of odds and ends that seem too puny for a shelter that cares for 30 teenagers, so I found a small family that is the epitome of "working poor" - the mom was so desperate that she posted on craigslist for any unwanted, partially used food and household items. When I met her, she had literally been down to flour and oil for the past week, and they'd been living on homemade tortillas.

I've even taken the risk of asking for a wishlist, and she's been very reasonable: Visine or similar, Bengay/Heet or similar, sunscreen & gum for her daughters (the beach is free, and they worry about their breath), mosquito repellant, sleep aids or night-formula painkillers -- nothing remotely "big ticket".

Last week was the third consecutive week that I gave her three big bags of supplies for her and her two teenage daughters:
3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal
Hellmann's mayo
2 boxes of pasta
Maxwell House coffee
2 jars of Ragu
2 jars of Skippy PB
2 packs of Kotex pads
Band-Aids
MiniDrops (as requested)
4pk toilet paper
Sandwich baggies
Cutter bug spray
Duncan Hines brownie mix
3 chunks of cheddar/monterrey (crashed in a raincheck: .88 per 8oz block!)
2 Knorr sides
2 cans of Starkist tuna
1 Ken's marinade
1 Frank's Hot Sauce
2 lbs frozen squash (from a friend)
1lb bacon (from my mom, $1!)
4 packs of gum

I'll add to this thread each time I hand over a care package.

[MeganK]

That's simply amazing. It warms my heart whenever I read things like this. It must be so awesome to see your donations going directly to a family and getting to witness it all.

[dmorey]

That's awesome! What a great idea!

[helenpooh]

That is an amazing thing you did for this family. Thanks for sharing

[iluvbeinamom]

thats so awsome!

[Ldyjarhead]

That's wonderful - good job!

I so want to be able to do that for others. I don't have a stockpile yet, but I'll be working on it as some of my trades come in.

[couponfairy101]

thanks for ur genouristy may god bless u for ur random acts of kindness ---I too gift to a needy family at my church on a regular basis and all i can say is it hmmm brings joy to ur heart for doing so ... i cant name the time i have been in tears thinking how much this helped someone besides me !!!!!! --- without people helping people hmmm this world would be a sad place --- again god bless u

[maryannct2004]

So wonderful!

[rowie]

this is so wonderful to read! great job!

[Pepsilady405]

That is so awesome!!!!! You're teaching her teenage daughters much more than you realize. PIF will live in their hearts!!!!

[karenvallone]

It is so heartwarming to see the generosity and kindness that my fellow afc'ers always seem to muster up. What a beautiful thing you are doing. I am sure they appreciate it more than you will ever know. Thank you for sharing. I am sure this will inspire others to do the same. God Bless you!

[bargainshopper]

Very generous of you! I am going to try to do the same thing!

[Devins mom]

So sweet, i am glad you are helping this family, that is very genourous of you.

[clfcats]

MONEYMATEKATE - you are so generous to do this!!!! You are a true blessing to her and her girls!!!!

[cotinkandy1]

What a terrific and giving person you are ....I have also made a laundry basket full of goodies (household) items for one of my sons, best friends family. They have been having a very difficult time due to a recent loss of a job. And the Mom auctually had tears while she hugged and Thanked me. I truly feel blessed to have found AFC and learned what I have. Its really a great way to give and to share all of our good fouturne.

[CHERYL S]

A great story, I will smile all day thinking about your generosity.

[CDmama]

Great to hear. God will bless you for that.

[jenniferd131]

reading your post put chills through my body, wow people are so nice still, I will just say I look up to you for your support to this struggling family

[cjaxon05]

Wow, that is so selfless and inspiring. I have given bags and boxes full to neighbors and friends but I hanve;t come across a specific needy family. I will be keeping a look out so I can do so.

[goofy5]

that is wonderful.

[thekains]

Sniff!! god bless you!! I wonder if where i donate i could adopt a family? That is awsome!!

[MichiganMan]

Very cool!! That's what it's all about!!

[MoneyMateKate]

I know how odd this sounds given the website's reputation, but I went to the "Items Wanted" section on craigslist and searched on things like "milk" and "toothpaste" and found her sad little request for unused remnants of things you don't want. Literally, she wrote "maybe you have some laundry detergent that you don't like the smell of" or "cans of food collecting dust at the back of your cabinet". I met her at a nearby coffee shop and she wouldn't even let me buy her a cup (she just didn't have anything).

In NYC there's no such thing as double coupons and supermarkets don't take IPs. However, I visit my mother in the burbs and reap the benefits on her behalf. I present it to her as a hobby/game rather than charity, i.e. "check it out - I got 2 jars of Ragu for a buck!", which helps maintain a bit of her dignity while at the same time dispersing the awkwardness I feel about putting myself in this uncomfortable benefactor role.

[amulya]

oh my God !! simply amazing !! how lucky r u to have got the chance to adopt a family and witness the happiness on their faces ! gr8 job !!

[lookingood436]

Everyone said what I wanted to say so I just thanked you and everyone else. Im chocked up just reading about your generosity and the awesome feeling of giving. Thanks