Couponing for Charity: Donation #3

My apologies for the delay in this post. I have been focusing on family and holiday memories the past few weeks. I will get back to the weekly suggestions for charity ASAP. But first, I want to share my experience with our third set of donations to Knoxville's Ronald McDonald House.

This from their website: The Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville provides a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The House provides a comfortable, supportive, temporary residence near the medical facility where family members can sleep, eat, relax and find support from other families in similar situations.

In early December, Devin and Brooke joined me in delivering two huge boxes of goods to this gorgeous home located near the East TN Children's Hospital. Trying to educate my four-year-old about giving to others, I told him we were going to "play Santa" for less fortunate kids. He was a bit puzzled about where Santa and the kids were, but hopefully the concept that it feels good to give is being planted early.

You may recall that I tried to donate goods to them for our second round of donations. At the time, I was told they didn't need what I had. When I called this time, they said they could use our items and were very appreciative. Looking at their wish list, I added a few items from my personal stock pile that I didn't get for free but they were bargains. At the last minute, fellow Northwest Knoxville MOMS Club member Kelley Neal dropped off her box of goods (not pictured). They were thrilled to get items they could use to stuff stockings for all the residents.

Here are the items we donated:

• 1 big box Cheerios
• 4 boxes pasta
• 5 boxes granola bars
• 1 box instant oatmeal
• 4 cans soup
• 3 jars peanut butter
• 1 box hot chocolate
• 2 packs tuna
• 2 air fresheners
• 1 all natural multi-purpose cleaner
• 3 first aid kits
• 9 tubes toothpaste
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 dental floss
• 20 pens
• 4 lip balm
• 1 body wash
• 2 razors
• 2 shaving creams
• 1 lotion
• 3 deodorants
• 5 Clinique samples
• 1 bottle hand soap
• home baked cookies from our club cookie swap

I can't really give an accurate account for the value of the items and the money spent since half of it wasn't mine, I set aside some items for the next charity, and I had previously donated some items from this batch to Iva's Place. At last count, my totals since September were:

TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS: $175.14

TOTAL SPENT: -$7.79 (that's negative nearly 8 bucks)

It's been nine months since I began Couponing for Charity, and I am looking forward to lots more giving in 2011!

Couponing for Charity 10/31-11/6

It's shaping up to be a decent week for deals. Once again Jenny at Southern Savers and Coupon Katie came through with detailing the best freebies for yourself or to donate. Here's my plan.

WALGREENS:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Zarbees children's cough syrup ($6, get $6RR, $3 printable=$3MM)
• 2 cans Hunts 8oz tomato sauce ($.34 each with in-ad coupon)
• $3.50RR from last week

Total: $.18 plus tax

Leave with $6RR

Transaction #2: SAME

CVS:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

My Transaction:

• 1 Oral B stages battery toothbrush ($5, get $2ECB, $3MC=FREE)
• 1 Olay body wash ($7, get $3ECB)
• 1 Secret deodorant (travel--$.99; use $5 off body wash when you buy Secret MC=both FREE)
• 1 Ocean Spray cranberry sauce ($.77)
• Use $5ECB from previous trip.

Total: $.74 plus tax

ECBs for next time: $2, $3

KROGER:

For Southern Saver's match-ups, go here. For Coupon Katie's picks, go here.

I plan to pick up free or nearly free Honest Tea, Colgate toothbrushes, Campbells cream, chunky and select harvest soups, Ronzoni pasta, and Quaker instant oatmeal. Not sure how much of it I will donate yet.

So what's your plan for freebies?

Feed Knoxville

Ok, all you savvy stock-pilers. Do I have an event for you?! Thanks to Coupon Katie for this tip: This Saturday, August 28 is the Feed Knoxville 2010 event at World's Fair Park from 3-8pm. The goal is to collect 100,000 items of food to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Second Harvest in Knoxville has seen an increase of 28% in demands for food services this past year. An average of 155,000 people are being helped every month. This is our chance to come together as a city to assist with our most basic need: food.

Feed Knoxville 2010 will have lots of FREE family activities including inflatables, live music and FREE food. For every food item you donate, you will be given a ticket that enters you into some great give-aways (motorcycles, vacations, and spa packages).

Couponing has enabled me to stock up on canned goods for very little. I have several soups, cans of tomatoes, and boxes of cereal I can donate. Tip: Check expiration dates. I'm planning to take the whole family; hope to see you there!

If you can't make it on Saturday, consider dropping some donations at three select Chick Fil-A stores to get a free meal. For every three donations, you get a free chicken sandwich though 8/27, 5-8pm. Click here for the details.