Helping others..........

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-03-2009, 01:55 PM

During the holiday season people rush out to give to others, but it seems the giving slows down the rest of the year. In this tough time a lot of people are suffering. They are losing their homes, their jobs, struggling to feed their families,etc. People need help now more than ever.

In my area the elementary/middle school has started a food pantry to help out students whose families need a boost. The FCA did a food drive during the month of February to help stock this pantry.

A church in my area has recently started a food pantry to help out families who need help. This is the first time there has been a huge need for this in my area!

I've read that food pantrys are having a hard time keeping up with the need. Donations are down and the need is up and they are having to turn people away.

So my question is this.....are you still helping out? Or are you hunkering down and protecting your own while things are tough?

I was able to go through my stockpile and donate 10 food items to the school food drive. These were things that I had alot of and I won't miss one of each item.

I also donate to the church pantry when I can. They have boxes set up in our little grocery store and when I think about it I buy an extra item or two and drop it in the box on my way out.

The daycare in my town is asking for donations of books, craft items, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. and have their box set up in the Dollar General. I haven't donated to them yet because I'm not sure how I feel about them asking for donations.

There is also a group asking for pet food donations but I haven't seen a box yet for them. If I do see one I will probably donate a couple of items.

Are you helping out?

**tiff** · 03-03-2009, 02:37 PM

Gosh we havent seen anything like that here, but I would definitely help out when the time comes. Just dont tell everyone you know that you have a stockpile.

**LastDragonfly** · 03-03-2009, 02:54 PM

I still help out our local food bank. They in turn distribute it to food pantries. Then I know that the whole thing is "legite" kwim?

**Momto2Boyz** · 03-03-2009, 03:11 PM

I donate to the food pantry every week. I set aside $10 each week and purchase $10 worth of groceries and drop it off on Friday's when I pick my DS up from preschool (they are in the same church building as the food pantry). Usually, I just pick up whatever I can for $10, but lately, they've been letting me know what they need when I drop off, since they know I'll be back the next week.

The biggest thing recently has been toilet paper. So, instead of getting food, I buy 4 packs of toilet paper for about $10 at Aldi's and I take that over there.

We'd love to do more, but $10 is what we can comfortably afford each week, and the pantry hasn't complained (actually quite the opposite), so I've stuck with that amount. It's enough to do some good, but not so much that it totally straps our budget!

And it is simple to do! Just buy a few extra non-perishables each week and leave them in the back of your vehicle, until you pass by the food pantry, and stop in and drop them off!

**mombottoo** · 03-03-2009, 03:12 PM

My dh & I generally donate in upwards of $3000 per year to local organizations that help local people. However, that was last year & the years before. Now, because our sil is laid off & 2 of our son's are also laid off and all of them have families the money we would normally donate to charities to help others will go to our family members instead.

That's not to say I won't donate, but if my kids need it they will get it first.

**IntlMom** · 03-03-2009, 03:14 PM

I donate goods, but more than that, I enjoy donating my time!!

Yep, I take food to the food bank, but I really enjoy the time that I spend there bagging up all those groceries that are brought in by ppl. Some one has to bag them up and have them ready to be picked up.....that;s what I do! I love doing it!!

I volunteer at our local homeless shelter about once a month or so, as well. I love that too!!!

get out and help - you WILL be blessed!!

**khjmom** · 03-03-2009, 03:19 PM

We are seeing a large need just through our school. I am still trying to build up my stockpile with items we can use, but I do feel like I should also try to help those who need it. I have been keeping snacks at school for those who need to take one home...they love the fruit snacks. We are also buying extra of whatever I am focused on for the month....like this month I am focused on building up my baking supplies, so as I find them on sale, I just buy extra to go to the food pantry. My first and foremost goal though will be to have what my school kids need... be it snacks for school supplies. Thankfully I also have help with this.

**Thevail** · 03-03-2009, 03:24 PM

We're still helping out where we can. It's mostly through hubby's work.

**HomeschoolMom** · 03-03-2009, 03:49 PM

Our grocery stores all have a bin by the exit after you check out for donations. They've always had them and I always seem to forget to pick up extra.

I really need to make more of an effort in that department. We donate a lot in other areas but we have been neglecting this one and with the economy the way it is that needs to change.

**stinkbug** · 03-03-2009, 03:53 PM

We were watching the local news on Sat. night and they were having a food drive because our local food bank was so low...They were taking donations at the news station till 7:00PM. It was 6:40 and dh and I looked at each other and said *Let's go*. We went through the pantry and bagged up three bags of food and drove into town and dropped it off. It was spur of the moment but it was something we could do. We donate bi-weekly to our local rescue mission.

**UUMomof3** · 03-03-2009, 04:28 PM

The grocery stores here have bags already built up, for $5 and $10. You buy the bag, then drop it in the bin on your way out. Lately the bins have been really empty.

I know many of the bigger food pantries do well with cash donations, through various agreements they have. So giving $10 will get them $20 or $30 worth of food.

Our church does "share the plate" on second Sundays. Whatever goes into the offering on that day goes to a designated social justice group. We always toss in a little bit.

But right now we're really focused on getting ourselves out of debt, so we won't end up being a drain on those services. We give a little here and there, but not much. Still, I guess it's a drop the bucket is glad to have.

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-03-2009, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Momto2Boyz

The biggest thing recently has been toilet paper. So, instead of getting food, I buy 4 packs of toilet paper for about $10 at Aldi's and I take that over there.

We'd love to do more, but $10 is what we can comfortably afford each week, and the pantry hasn't complained (actually quite the opposite), so I've stuck with that amount. It's enough to do some good, but not so much that it totally straps our budget!

I did toilet paper week before last! Our little store had it for .79 a four pack so I bought two and dropped them in. The box is actually outside the store in the little entrance area (how they keep people from stealing the stuff out of the box is something I wonder every time I go there) so I could take shampoo, etc. that I have stocked up here and just drop it in on my way into the store I guess.

I too would love to do more, but each week I just try to buy a couple of things that I can afford and drop them in. I like the idea of setting aside a certain amount each week to buy with and donate. I might have to do that once I get that final extra house payment made at the end of this month! I'd take the money to the big town though and buy as much as possible there rather than buying at this little store where everything is so expensive.

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-03-2009, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by khjmom

We are seeing a large need just through our school. I am still trying to build up my stockpile with items we can use, but I do feel like I should also try to help those who need it. I have been keeping snacks at school for those who need to take one home...they love the fruit snacks. We are also buying extra of whatever I am focused on for the month....like this month I am focused on building up my baking supplies, so as I find them on sale, I just buy extra to go to the food pantry. My first and foremost goal though will be to have what my school kids need... be it snacks for school supplies. Thankfully I also have help with this.

I think that's so sweet that you do that! I try to send in extra supplies with my son like tissues and hand sanitizer, etc. When they were little(Kindergarten, 1st grade) I would send in extra glue sticks, pencils, crayons, etc.

Our school made me really mad this year. They increased the price of full price lunch but didn't raise the price for reduced lunches. There is a HUGE difference in the cost of the two and if one is going up, the other should go up a little too!

**justpeachy92** · 03-03-2009, 04:57 PM

I have not seen any additional food pantries sprout up around where I live like what was described in the original post. The schools my children attend have always done a couple of food drives through-out the year, so I always make sure we have stuff on hand for them to take in. I will buy extra to put in the bins at grocery stores. I also take advantage of the use of coupons for donating items. There are certain things that I am brand loyal too, but if I come across a coupon that will make an item free or almost free I will get it for the purpose of donating. I do this alot with pet food and cat litter, to donate to the animal shelter and other animal rescues. And for toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal care items that I can give to homeless shelters, women/children shelters and the food bank. I also try to take advantage of little toys and other treats for kids when I can, our food pantries will put those items in the boxes for families with kids.

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by UUMomof3

The grocery stores here have bags already built up, for $5 and $10. You buy the bag, then drop it in the bin on your way out. Lately the bins have been really empty.

Kroger in the next town has a box that you can buy but it's very small and I think I saw that it was 25.00. I could buy WAY more for 25.00 than they can get in that little box.

And I personally think that right now, as bad as things are, any drop in the bucket helps someone out! There's a family out there somewhere that is thankful for your drop!!