Friday, July 30, 2010

Yesterday's Mobile Food Drive: Over 1100 Items Donated to Southeast Gwinnett Co-op!





Unbelievably amazing things have happened over the past couple of days. I want to take a minute to share some of them with you because it is clearly evident that they weren't just a coincidence, or "co-inky-dink" as I like to say.

1) First of all, I think I can speak for most of us involved in "Clipping for a Cause" that seeing the images of bare shelves at the co-op truly brought tears to our eyes. Laura Drake, director of Southeast Gwinnett Co-op sent a desperate plea out to everyone she knew asking for prayers and donations to feed over 70 needy families. The shelves were empty as you witnessed in the photographs. The very next day, 5-2 Ministry of Snellville, GA which is another coupon ministry similar to ours, donated over 2,000 items to re-stock the shelves. It was nothing short of a miracle.

2) The Gwinnett Daily Post contacted us earlier in the week to do a story on what Clipping for a Cause is all about. They came to our meeting on Wednesday night and stayed for over an hour, interviewing and taking tons of photographs. One of our church ministers was present to show her support, and before the chaos got started, she said a prayer for us about following God's plan to provide food for His people in the midst of a crisis. After all of the excitement got underway, pictures snapping, the scissors clipping, loud laughing and conversations..an older woman walked into the room with tears in her eyes. I knew she wasn't part of the ministry, but I knew I recognized her from somewhere. "I am a member at the church," she said. "You came to talk to us recently about "Clipping for a Cause" and how you all donate to surrounding organizations using coupons.." She then explained that she wanted to remain anonymous and wrote out a check for $100 and told me to stretch it as far as possible. I couldn't hold back the tears and when I hugged her for a long time, she was speechless to learn that $100 is as much as we have spent in 5 months on everything we've donated to date while saving over $2000.

3) Not only did Southeast Gwinnett need food, but they were completely out of toilet paper. A lot of people don't realize that even with food stamps, you can only use those on food items, not non-food items. So, personal care, paper goods, etc. are not covered with food stamps. An email blast went out to the entire "Clipping for a Cause" group only 3 hours before we met Wednesday night explaining the TP need. When I arrived, I opened up our cabinets where we store our coupons and there were over 50 rolls donated in that short amount of time.

These events along with the fact that more people than ever came to clip coupons and shop for items Wednesday night go to show you that this didn't all happen by chance! Not only that, but I couldn't even see my poor kids or their car seats because of cramming over 1,000 donated items in my car Thursday to deliver! Words can't begin to express the gratitude and joy I have toward others who are obediently following the call to help others.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

FREE Softsoap for Special Needs School of Gwinnett: Please Consider Donating if you Won't Use it Yourself!

Starting today at Publix, Softsoap handsoap is free after using the coupon here. This is something that Special Needs School of Gwinnett could really use right now. Remember, you can print two from your computer, and if this is something your household really doesn't use, please consider donating it to "Clipping for a Cause!"

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Bare Shelves...



I don't know about yall, but I am a visual person. Seeing this photo put into perspective how serious the food bank crisis is. These are shelves at the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. Whatever you are doing right now, please take a moment say a prayer for food banks across America and the people who need food so desperately.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Best Ways to Donate for Free or Pocket Change: Publix (Starting 7/29)

If you ask me, this is a great upcoming Publix ad with several opportunities to donate! If you see more, please add them in the "comments" section!

Old El Paso Dinner Kit, Assorted Varieties, 8.4 to 19.2 oz box, BOGO $2.95
$.50/1 OLD EL PASO PRODUCT, ANY(EXCLUDES REFRIGERATED, FROZEN, OR SOUP PRODUCTS) – 07-11-10 Smart Source
Makes Each only $0.48!

Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup, 24-oz bot, BOGO $1.75
$0.20/1 Hunt’s Ketchup 6/20/2010 Smart Source Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
Makes Each only $0.48
Even Less if you have the Publix $5/10 Con Agra Products "Pool Party" Coupon)

Softsoap liquid hand soap 7.5oz bottle, 10/$10
$0.50/1 Softsoap Hand Soap PRINT
Makes it FREE

Yoplait Go-Gurt Portable Yogurt, Assorted Varieties, 8-pk. 2.25-oz tube BOGO $2.79
$0.85/1 Go-Gurt PRINT
Makes each box $0.55!

Thanks I Heart Publix!

Free Ravioli at Publix!

My friend Traci sent me a great deal this morning I wanted to share with you! Currently, Chef Boyardee is on sale for $0.75 each. She found this $1/1 Target Coupon, which would make it free plus overage if your store accepts Target as a competitor! Hurry..the new sale starts Thursday (Wednesday in some areas)!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Best Ways to Donate for Free or Pocket Change this Week at: Kroger

Kroger's new ad started yesterday (7/25) and runs through 7/31. If yall have any other ones to ad, please leave a comment! Thanks to Zeal for a Deal for the matchups!

Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna Select Varieties, 5 oz Can, 2 For $1
Makes each $0.50

Gillette, Old Spice or Zest Body Wash Select Varieties, 10-18 oz, $2.99
$2/1 Gillette Body Wash or Deodorant 7/4/2010 P&G Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
Makes each $0.99

Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick or Teen Spirit Deodorant, Select Varieties, 1.4-2 oz, $0.88
$0.75/1 Lady Speedstick Stainguard Deodorant PRINT
Makes each $.26!

Crest Toothpaste Select Varieties, 6.4 oz Oral-B Indicator Toothbrush Select Varieties, 1 ct Mix Or Match, 10 for $10
$1/1 Crest Paste 4 oz+ 6/27/2010 RP Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
$0.50/1 Crest Toothpaste 4oz+ 6/6/2010 P&G Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
$1/1 Crest Toothpaste 6/27/2010 RP Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
$1/1 Oral-B Cross Toothbrushes 6/27/2010 RP Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
Toothpaste and Toothbrush are FREE!

Dove Soap, 1-Bar Ivory or Safeguard Soap or Body Wash Select Varieties, 3 Bars or 7.5-12 oz Mix Or Match, 10 for $10
$0.50/1 Zest, Safeguard or Ivory 6/6/2010 P&G Insert (exp 7/31/2010)
$1/1 Dove Body Wash 6/27/2010 RP Insert (exp 7/25/2010)
Makes it FREE!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Southeast Gwinnett Co-op: OUT of Food...Please Read!



From Laura Drake, Director of the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry: OUT OF FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE SCRAPING TO GET THROUGH THE DAY.
STOPPED AND PRAYED. CRITICAL

This absolutely broke my heart to read. Because of a similar crisis at the North Gwinnett Co-op, "Clipping for a Cause" had already committed to helping them stock the shelves this month. These are our neighbors. People like you and I who have fallen on hard times, some having to ask for "hand-outs" for the very first time in their lives. People who have no other choice. My prayer is that although we have made a prior commitment, perhaps enough food donations will come in prior to Thursday's mobile food drive that we will be able to split the food between both co-ops. Please take a moment to consider donating anything..even if it's one can, and we'll do whatever it takes to get it to the people who need it so desperately. Thank you.