Publix: Best Ways to Donate This Week for Free or Pocket Change!

I have a lot of folks ask me about items that can be donated to local charities like food banks, etc. A lot of us (including myself at one time) assume only non-perishable foods could be donated. However, each place is different. You have noticed from the blog that "Clipping for a Cause" supports several different charities..each with their own individual needs. What this means is that we need everything from toilet paper, to frozen veggies to personal hygiene items to spaghetti noodles! Nothing is off limits! Here are the best ways to donate to your local charities for free or pocket change this week! Thanks to "I Heart Publix" for the suggestions!

Ken’s Steak House Dressing, or Lite Accents, Assorted Varieties, 7 or 16 oz bottle BOGO $3.29
-$1/1; $1/2 Ken’s 16 oz Dressings or Lite Accents, Any – 05-09-10 SS
$0.65 after coupon!

Idahoan Mashed Potatoes, Assorted Varieties, 4 or 4.1 oz pouch, BOGO $1.25
-$.75/3 Idahoan PRINT
Use the printable and pay 38¢ per pouch after coupon!

Knorr Sides, Assorted Varieties, 12 to 13.25 oz package (Excluding Plus Veggies) BOGO $1.49
-$.45/1 Knorr product– 05-02-10 SS
-$.55/2 Knorr Rice and Pasta Products- Family Is It’s Own Reward Booklet (Publix Coupon)
-$.60/2 Knorr Rice & Pastas -05-23-10 RP
Combine two $.45/1 manufacturer coupons with the Publix coupon and get two packages FREE

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta, Assorted Varieties, 12 or 13.25 oz package, BOGO $1.79
-$.75/1 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, Any – 04-11-10 SS
Pay 15¢ per box after coupon!

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, Assorted Varieties, 4.8 to 13 oz box, BOGO $2.75
-$.75/1 Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn NEW Cheese Flavored any package (3-pack or larger) – 05-16-10 SS
$0.63 A box!

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Vegetables, Assorted Varieties, 12 oz bag, BOGO $2.39
-$1/2; $.40/1 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables, Any – 03-28-10 SS
-$.50/1 Green Giant Veggie PRINT
Use the $.50/1 to pay 20¢ per bag after it's doubled (40¢ per bag using the $.40/1 coupon)

Right Guard Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Total Defense, Assorted Varieties, 2 to 4 oz package, BOGO $3.99
-$1.50/1 Total Defense PRINT

Lee's Inspirational Story with Photos!

Here is some background information before I quote exactly what Lee (a member of First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville and Clipping for a Cause) wrote in her email to me this morning. I have never met her before in my life before this Sunday! We were merely "email friends" before that...communicating back and forth about "Clipping for a Cause", how she could get started couponing, how she could get involved, etc. I began by directing her to the blog and answering any questions that I could for her. In a matter of weeks, I could "feel" the transformation over the emails! Lee would express that she had gone coo-coo for coupons (and so many of us can relate!) and couldn't stop! Taking a leap of faith on her own..she followed the suggestions posted on the blog for ways to donate for free or pocket change and proof of her successful shopping trips is pictured above!

I can't help but share the email she sent to me today. Her enthusiasm is contagious as you will see!

From Lee:
"Can't tell you how excited I am about this ministry. I am officially a crazy coupon person as I took my first pictures of stuff last night. The 1st picture (on the table) is all the FREE stuff I have to donate to Clipping for a Cause! The free stuff just makes me so happy because I had no idea this was even out there until I read your blog. The 2nd pic is the other stuff I have to donate (most items < $1).

Can't get the stuff to you today for the mobile food drive, but wondered if I could bring it to you on Sunday.

And, I mentioned Clipping for a Cause to my neighbors at a cookout on Sat and as of yesterday I had 17 inserts in the drop box I put on my front porch!"

A 58 Cent Donation!

Ever since we started the "divide and conquer" method of shopping for "Clipping for a Cause," I have noticed a huge difference. As you have heard me explain before, each month, we are amazed at the growing number of coupon inserts being donated! Some weeks, we come in to clip and there are 100+ inserts to organize! Therefore, we have started having to divide up the coupons so that one person isn't buying 40 items from one store and wiping them out! (I know this makes you happy to know!)

Anyway, here is a recent photo of Carrie's shopping trip that totaled 58 cents! She is new to the ministry, but a pro at couponing! All of the pictured items will be included in the delivery during tomorrow's Mobile Food Drive that will benefit the Lawrenceville Co-op, Family Promise of Gwinnett and The Quinn House of Lawrenceville.

(4) Bags of Fisher Fusion Snack Mix @ $1
USED: (4) $1/1 from 2/28 SS
TOTAL: FREE
(1) Schick Razor @ 0.99
USED: $2/1 from 4/11 SS
TOTAL: FREE Plus OVERAGE

(8) Boxes of Betty Crocker Potatoes @ 0.79
USED: (8) $1/2 from 3/28 SS
TOTAL: $2.32
(3) Bottles of Nivea Body Wash @ $3.89
USED: (3) $4/1 from 5/2 RP
TOTAL: FREE Plus a little Overage

Shrek-tacular Savings & Giveaway!

Michelle has a fun giveaway going on right now over at I Heart Publix! Make sure you visit her website soon for your chance to win this package containing lots of great items!!

Best Ways to Donate this Week for FREE or Pocket Change!

Here is the long list of deals we concentrated on last night at the "Clipping for a Cause" clipping party at First United Methodist Church. What another awesome night we all had! I would have to say at least 75-100 more coupon inserts were donated, including Publix coupons to match them up with for even bigger savings! I am in awe of this ministry and am so grateful for each and every person who has become a part of it!

We have gotten to the point where sometimes, we have so many coupon donations, we have 30-35 clipped for the SAME free item! What a great problem to have to have to split the coupons between 4 and 5 people to then go out to different stores to get the items! We certainly don't want to wipe out one store of that particular item!! Is it just me though, or are more and more people beginning to master this couponing thing?! The Publix manager's must have cramps in their hands writing all of those rain checks! :)

McCormick Grill Mates Marinades .71 oz to 1.25 oz, 5/$4
-$.50/1 -McCormick Grill Mates Blend, Marinade Or Spice Rub, Any – 04-18-10 RP (exp 5/30)
FREE!

Fisher Fusions Trail Mix 2/$2
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + – 02-07-10 SS
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + – 02-28-10 SS
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + – 01-10-10 SS
-$1/1 Fisher product, any 4 Oz. + – 12-13-09 SS
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + – 12-06-09 SS
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + – 11-15-09 SS
-$1/1 Fisher Product, Any 4 Oz. + - 11-22-09 SS
FREE

Schick HYDRO 3 Razor, $5.99
-$1/1 Schick Hydro Razor, Refill, or Shave Gel GREEN Adv Buy Flyer
-$5/1 Schick Hydro 05-09-10 SS
Free after both coupons!!

Schick HYDRO Shave Gel, 8.4 oz, 2/$4
-$1/1 Schick Hydro Razor, Refill, or Shave Gel GREEN Adv Buy Flyer
-$1/1 Schick Hydro Shave Gel 05-09-10 SS

Nivea Body Wash $3.89 (Green Advantage Buy price through 5/21) .
$4/1 Nivea 05-02-10 RP
FREE

New York Texas Toast Croutons .99 yellow flyer sale untill 6/4/10
.50 New York Texas Toast Croutons 5/16 (This Q will be out in this coming Sunday's paper)
= FREE

Mahatma Valencia rice .99
.50/1 4/25 RP
= FREE

Carefree Ultra liners .99 Green Adv. Flyer sale price good till 5/21/10
BOGO 3/28/10RP
1.00 4/25/10 SS
= FREE

Yoplait Fiber one yogurt BOGO 2.50
1.00 3/21/10SS - coupon expires 5/15/10
= $0.25 each!

Betty Crocker Potatoes BOGO 1.59
1.00/2 3/28/10SS
= $0.30/box!

A $4.54 Donation...

For those who do better seeing things visually like myself, I thought a picture would help put into perspective just how little it takes to start making a difference today by helping to stock the shelves of food banks that need it so desperately!!!!!! They don't just need food items..they need everything from personal hygiene items to diapers to toilet paper, you name it!

While saving close to $150 on these items, only $4.54 came out of pocket. These were several transactions combined by various members of the "Clipping for a Cause" ministry. Although some of these deals were from last week and over now, I couldn't help but share this with you.

(6) McCormick Grill Mates @ 5/$4 (Current Sale in Yellow Adv. Flyer)
USED: 0.50/1 from 4-18 RP (Red Plum)
FREE

(12) Carefree pads @ 0.99 (Current Sale)
USED: $1/1 4/25 SS (Smart Source)
FREE

(4) Ramen Noodles @ 0.17 (Always the Price at Wal-Mart)

(17) Hidden Valley Ranch Farmhouse Dressing (BOGO Last week at Publix) @ $1.73
USED: $2/1 from 3/14 SS
FREE

(9) Pop-Tarts @ $1.20 (BOGO Last Week at Publix)
USED: 3 $1.25/3 from 3/28 RP
$7.05

(6) Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorants @ $1.15 (BOGO Last Week at Pulix)
USED: $1/1 from 4/25 RP
$0.90

(5) Schick Razors, Travel pks 0.99 (Always the price in the travel section @ Publix)
USED: $2/1 from 4/11 SS
FREE Plus OVERAGE

Free Gillette Body Wash

If you or your hubby needs a "manly" alternative to that old boring bar soap, I highly recommend Gillette Body Wash! We got about 8 bottles of it for free the last time a deal came up like this, so we should be set for a while, but if you missed out, here is your chance. Right now, Target has the 8 oz bottles on clearance for under $2. Dollar General has them 2 for $4! Use your coupon from 5/2 P&G for $4/2 and stock up! :)