Giving away the stockpile?

**khaski** · 03-16-2010, 04:06 PM

I do sometimes- I too am 'over run' with free or close to it toothpaste- my friend's hubby has a serious dental issue and can only use the 'ProHealth' stuff that generally costs $4+ a tube..I know they are in a really bad $ situation right now, so I pass along a tube or two a month if I have it....there is also a running joke with my friends, everyone calls ME for cold/flu medicine or kid's tylenol at strange hours-we live in the country, 30+ minutes form the nearest 24 hour center, 20 minutes from the drugstore, if it's an 'off' time they call to see if I have what they need...I usually do! They often replace it shortly for me though.

Items I get fro free/super cheap I donate to the food pantry or to the 'Green Center' which recycles gently used clothng/items for others who need them, for free.

QM · 03-16-2010, 04:45 PM

Yes, we often give away/donate stuff in our stockpile. There is a family at our church that used to be missionaries in Zambia that I often give some of our stuff too. They are so appreciative all of the time. The hubby is a full-time worker for the church at a men's prison, and I know that they don't have a lot. I also sometimes give items to my friend when I know she's running low on something--the last time it was a few bars of soap.

I am confident that the Lord will always take care of me and supply all of my needs.

**Trishagirl** · 03-16-2010, 04:54 PM

I give stuff away to the local clothes basket during the holidays. They greatly appreciate whatever anyone gives.

**JerryG** · 03-17-2010, 03:31 PM

My neighbors know to hit me up for whatever - TP, soap, pb, etc. My home is stocked well.
SO usually makes a shopping list AFTER he talks to me.

I donate food stuffs when there is a food drive in the neighborhood - typically picked up by the USPS twice a year.

**shoiji** · 03-20-2010, 04:12 PM

I need to be careful with some of the foods I buy on sale. Sometimes I forget and there is an ingredient that I am alergic to. So I give that away. Also, I just gave some pasta away since I am trying to cut out most gluten from my diet.

Usually the only thing I give away is stuff I get for free with a coupon that I was planning on giving away.

**jas** · 03-20-2010, 05:27 PM

Yes, I try to give to those in need. A few months ago my brother was out of work and hurting for food. I sent him home with a few bags of stuff.

A few months before Thanksgiving I start to stockpile things that would make up about a weeks worth of meals for two families. This includes the things needed for a Thanksgiving meal. About a week before the holiday they are given to the two families.

**mommy4ever** · 03-20-2010, 10:57 PM

I share my stock pile a few times a year. In fall the Mormon church does a food drive in our area. I will pack a box of things. Sometimes it's items that we ended up not enjoying as much, like a store brand of something where we prefer the original. This New year I took a bunch of my hygiene products - deodorant, soaps, toothpaste to the school for the Emergency Youth Shelter.

It doesn't deplete my stockpile, and all is bought as things are bottom dollar. And there is plenty here and so much abundance over all. That it seems right to offer it to those who need it.

**mom2three** · 03-23-2010, 10:52 AM

I'm like Shoji. I might accidentally buy something with a suspect ingredient that it turns out we can't eat or a food manufacturer might change something and make what was once a safe food unsafe. For example, Oceanspray seems to have changed the sugar on their Craisins from cane (safe) to beet (has unlabeled sulfites which two of my children cannot have). I gave a large bag away. I also give to food drives.

**khaski** · 03-23-2010, 06:44 PM

Oh, I forgot about the Boy scout's 'Scouting for Food' drive each fall in our town- I end up loading up my van and driving it down to the fire station where they collect. I like to involve my kids so they get used to 'giving' to those in need.

**brainyblonde** · 03-26-2010, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i don't store anything i don't use. store what you eat, eat what you store.

i don't understand the CVSers at all. i got all this crap for 15 bucks...boy what a deal.... but i'll never use it so i'll give it away... isn't that a waste of the original 15 bucks?

Not when that $15 went to buy a ton of health & beauty items that are desperately needed by domestic violence and homeless shelters. I consider that money well spent.

**Barefoot Gal** · 03-29-2010, 01:45 AM

I had depleted my stockpile by giving all food items away when plans for the new year including a cross-country relocation. Now, that the relocation has been cancelled, I'm back to re-building the stash!

Everything went to families that could readily use the food. I'm glad to have things available all year when someone asks. If I see items that are free or next-to-nothing in cost, I'll pick them up and give them away to those I know like/could use the item or brand.

The pantry came in handy already just a few months ago this winter when we were clobbered with snowstorms. Fortunately, there have been some good sales locally to ease the restock of shelves.

**Buc-O-Mama** · 04-26-2010, 06:17 PM

The stockpiling stuff that I end up sharing seems to be a mix of family/friends and true donations. Our church frequently collects toiletries for a local mission that works with migrant workers and there's a homeless mission not too far away as well. When there are items that are true moneymakers as far as couponing overage, it get ridiculous to collect so much stuff that will expire before we could possibly use it.

**Thevail** · 05-17-2010, 04:00 PM

I regularly donate extra food items that I'm just not going to get a chance to use to the local food bank.

Health and beauty items I tend to donate to either the salvation army (for the homeless) or to the red cross (for people who've lost their homes to disaster).

**Savannah** · 06-21-2010, 12:39 PM

I do donate to food drives from time to time. With the economy so bad, I am donating more to friends, family, etc. So many (including me) have been hit with less employment or loss of job all together. I try to help out by sharing some of my supplies. Sometimes I'll just take some of the money I've saved and send them a gift card at a local grocery store anonymously. I have one neighbor who's on disability and always seems to run out of money the last few days of the month. I pack up a box of groceries and take it to them when it gets close to the end of the month. I'm sure that all those I've helped would do the same for us, if we're in need. Thankfully, a generously stocked pantry has helped us through the low-income times and even allowed us to share some of what we have.