May 17, 2011

How Couponing CAN Make A Difference

I had the pleasure of meeting a representative from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on Sunday evening at an event where I was promoting Bebellies' Bargains.
I've always known that I am going to teach couponing classes (soon, I promise) and when I start, I am going to request that each attendee bring a non-perishable food item for donation BUT I didn't know where I was going to take those donations. Now I do!

It also got me thinking about couponing, how we can make a big difference in the lives of so many!
Week after week, I post great deals at our local grocers, super stores and drug stores. I have quite the stockpile now and I hope you do too! No one I know can make a bigger difference than us! Our hobby is to gather coupons and find deals, why not donate too?

Therefor, every Wednesday, I post the Publix ad sneek peak for the next week's ad (starts on Thursday in most areas) beginning this Wednesday, I will begin another weekly post called:
"Coupons CAN Change Lives" where I will match up coupons on non- perishable items for donation. 
If you've got a blog or a website please feel free to cut and paste the "Coupons CAN Change Lives" post for your audience! 

Had I done posted this week, it would look like this (these items can still be purchased through tomorrow, if you haven't already used your coupons):

Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese 12.6 oz bag, BOGO $2.59
$1/1 Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese Dinner PRINT
Purchase 2        $.59

Maruchan Yakisoba Noodles 3.96 to 4.27 oz, BOGO 89¢
$0.50/1 Maruchan Yakisoba 3/13/2011 SS Insert 
Purchase 2        $.39 (free if your store doubles)

Back To Nature Granola 7.5 to 13.5 oz, BOGO $3.79
$1/1 Back to Nature Cookie, Cracker, Granola PRINT
Purchase 2        $1.79

AquaFresh Toothpaste 6.4 oz, $1.19 
$1/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean  PRINT
Purchase 2        $.38


Total Spent $3.15  for almost $18 worth of groceries!!
Thank you, I Heart Publix for the match-ups!

1 in 5 Central Floridians are struggling with the reality of hunger and food insecurity.

How many clients receive emergency food through Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida?
  • Approximately 55,000 different people receive assistance in any given week.
  • During the course of a year, enough food for 14 million meals is provided by Second Harvest.

Demand for Food
  • 42% of the soup kitchens reported that 50 or more additional meals are needed weekly. This represents a 100% increase from 2006.
  • For shelters, this increase is 400%.
  • 76.1% of the pantries, 70% of the kitchens and 48.8% of the shelters indicate that they serve more clients now than they did in 2006.

Turning Away the Hungry
  • 20.7% of the pantries, 10.1% of the kitchens and 33.0% of the shelters responded that they turned away clients during the past year.

CRITICAL NEED ITEMS  (Nonperishable)
Meals in a Can, Nonfat Dry Milk, Oatmeal. Canned Meats/ Poultry, Evaporated Milk, Drinks, Canned Tuna, Nutritional Drinks, Drinks, Dry Beans, Canned Veggies, Canned Soup, Dry Pasta/ Macaroni, Canned Fruit, Diapers, Baby Food, Rice, Beef Stew (Canned)

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