Every Tuesday I have a short “column” in the Tacoma News Tribune. It’s not available online and I rarely mention it here on the site for fear of boring you guys who get the paper and may have already seen it. But today’s article is particularly heavy on my heart – Sharing From Your Stockpile.
The thought never leaves my mind as I sit down to eat dinner with my family that we are lucky to have a warm meal on the table. I’m blessed to have “extras” in my stockpile. And even the glow of my Christmas tree in my living room is something I don’t want to take for granted.
I only get 250 words each week for my money-saving article and it really doesn’t do the topic justice – but I’m going to share today’s article here on the site for those of you who don’t get the paper (if you do get the paper, it’s on page A13). If anything, it’s food for thought and if you’re in a position to do so – maybe you’ll be compelled to share from your stockpile. . .
This time of year food, toiletry and gift drives abound. The need is great and it’s not just during the holidays. If you have been regularly couponing for at least three months you probably have a little (or large) stockpile built up. Stockpiles are key to saving money because they keep you from paying full price (buy enough when it’s on sale, and you aren’t forced to buy it when it’s not).
But ask yourself how much do you reasonably need on hand? Do you need 40 shampoos or would five be enough to get you through until the next sale?
If you have “extra” items in your stockpile, consider donating it to a local food bank or shelter. High protein foods like peanut butter and beans are ideal. Foods that children can make themselves, perhaps while they are home on holiday break are great. Toiletries are always needed and often you can get travel size toiletries or laundry soap for free after coupon (if the trial size is not excluded on the coupon).
Here in Pierce County, the Emergency Food Network is a great organization to donate to. They provide food and other essentials at no cost to over 65 food banks, hot meal sites and shelters for distribution to low-income families and individuals. If you aren’t in a position to donate from your stockpile they are always looking for extra hands and volunteers to help repackage donations for distribution to their many locations.
For more information visit the Emergency Food Network website or call (253) 584-1040.
And I bet if you carefully considered the situations of your friends and family you might know someone who wouldn’t ask for help, but would love a gift of a basket filled with practical things from your stockpile, or a home cooked freezer meal made from your stockpile.
If you don’t live in the Tacoma area check with your local area for food banks, shelters or schools that could use donations.
Brenda says
What a great reminder this time of year. I make a point to take a scan of our stockpile and donate once a month to our local charities and it’s great to remind us to donate our time as well. They certainly can use all the help they can get!
Heather, I can only speak for myself, but, I have yet to read anything boring that you have written. Please reconsider posting your newspaper columns online for those of us who don’t live locally! Thank you for all that you do for us, it’s greatly appreciated!
Heather says
Brenda – Thank you for your kind words! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Sandra says
I’m so lucky to have a stockpile and I take loads of it to less privileged family and friends who really need the basic to get by. After stocking up at the awesome toy sales this year, I wrapped enough for my child and had enough left over to take to three families who are in a situation where they can’t buy Christmas this year. It feels good to stretch my dollars enough to save money AND help out so many others.
Sunnie says
I started couponing this past May. Thanks to this site. I have donated 50 tubes of toothpaste to the foster camp, 15 tubes and brushes to the local high school and boxes and boxes of food. And I still spend 60% less on groceries than I did before. I have a 8 month stock pile of soaps and toilet papers. We are stockpiling to save money for my son’s lung transplant in Seattle. Heather thanks for all you do.
Amy G says
This is why I started really couponing about a year ago. I used to be a casual coupon user, but had stopped for a while. I saw a tv segment about couponing and the part that caught my attention was couponing to donate. I subscribed to the newspaper an asked a neighbor for her inserts now and then, and I got to take a couple of nice donations to our local food bank and to a local women’s shelter. I’m not doing quite as much lately, since we moved this summer and I am a little limited on space in our rental house, but as I learn the local stores and when we buy a house, I hope to get back to it.
Patrice says
Great column, Heather! I use my coupon clipping skills to donate to my church’s foodbank regularly. I love the challenge to see how much I can save and how much food I can donate.
Merry Christmas!
Melinda says
What a wonderful way to put our faith in action. Thank you for the reminder and for helping us with some practical ways we can help others.