With your coupons, you have the means to positively change the world!

[TerryTerrific]

I am talking about getting to know your local food pantry.

Making a donation that positively impacts someone else’s life.

It is a very gooood feeling (We are talking 'Cloud 9').

Please use this thread to share your donation experiences.

N'oubliez pas (Do not forget) ... Karma is gonna get you!

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Yesterday, I called the Parma Heights, OH Food Pantry to find out if they have refrigerators and / or freezers.

The answer … “Oui!”

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I asked because I have extra 55¢ / 2 Weight Watchers' yogurt manufacturer cents off coupons that will be expiring on:

Saturday, 10/31/2009

“A coupon is a terrible thing to waste!”

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$0.70 = the shelf price of one Weight Watchers' yogurt at Giant Eagle

$1.40 = the shelf price of two Weight Watchers' yogurt at Giant Eagle
$1.10 = 55¢ / 2 (doubled)
==============================================
$0.30 = out-of-pocket for two

$0.15 = out-of-pocket for one

Sweeeet!

(Items seem to take better when you know that you did not pay full price for them [I learned that from the Entertainment Book's 50% off coupons]).

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While I am at the food pantry, I am always asking them what they need.

Also, I am looking at the shelves so that it will jog my memory.

They even accept pet food.

Think: Michael's dry dog food:

$3.99 = shelf price at Giant Eagle
$3.00 = manufacturer's cents off coupons
==========================
$0.99 = out-of-pocket

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Another effort is what I call:

Being a Coupon Angel

That is leaving coupons next to the product so others can find and use.

I am real good at leaving Giant Eagle's $1.00 off each gallon FuelPerks coupons near the pharmacy.

Those coupons are worth their weight in gold!

Pour moi ... with a vehicle that has a 25 gallon fuel capacity, each of those coupons is worth $24.00 when it comes time for a fillup.

I have not paid for gasoline in the past two years.

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At the Middleburgh Heights, OH Giant Eagle, during the recent 97¢ Purex laundry detergent sale, I had a fellow couponer ask me if I could use those 35¢ manufacturer's cents off coupons.

I had to turn them down since I had some of my own.

Great minds ... they think alike!

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Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

[micheller126]

I have the Cloverleaf Food pantry down the street from me at St Elizabeth Church/ School. They are only open on tuesdays, but if you had a good bit to drop off..they will take it if you call. I used to give them all of my CVS hauls. (how much toothpaste can you use?)
They also have freezers.

[tfinetwins]

We donate to the Round Hill pantry near us.

I have to ask what those $1 off gas coupons are and where do I get them?

Originally Posted by TerryTerrific I am talking about getting to know your local food pantry. Making a donation that positively impacts someone else’s life. It is a very gooood feeling (We are talking 'Cloud 9'). Please use this thread to share your donation experiences. N'oubliez pas (Do not forget) ... Karma is gonna get you! + Yesterday, I called the Parma Heights, OH Food Pantry to find out if they have refrigerators and / or freezers. The answer … “Oui!” + I asked because I have extra 55¢ / 2 Weight Watchers' yogurt manufacturer cents off coupons that will be expiring on: Saturday, 10/31/2009 “A coupon is a terrible thing to waste!” + $0.70 = the shelf price of one Weight Watchers' yogurt at Giant Eagle $1.40 = the shelf price of two Weight Watchers' yogurt at Giant Eagle $1.10 = 55¢ / 2 (doubled) ============================================== $0.30 = out-of-pocket for two $0.15 = out-of-pocket for one Sweeeet! (Items seem to take better when you know that you did not pay full price for them [I learned that from the Entertainment Book's 50% off coupons]). + While I am at the food pantry, I am always asking them what they need. Also, I am looking at the shelves so that it will jog my memory. They even accept pet food. Think: Michael's dry dog food: $3.99 = shelf price at Giant Eagle $3.00 = manufacturer's cents off coupons ========================== $0.99 = out-of-pocket + Another effort is what I call: Being a Coupon Angel That is leaving coupons next to the product so others can find and use. I am real good at leaving Giant Eagle's $1.00 off each gallon FuelPerks coupons near the pharmacy. Those coupons are worth their weight in gold! Pour moi ... with a vehicle that has a 25 gallon fuel capacity, each of those coupons is worth $24.00 when it comes time for a fillup. I have not paid for gasoline in the past two years. + At the Middleburgh Heights, OH Giant Eagle, during the recent 97¢ Purex laundry detergent sale, I had a fellow couponer ask me if I could use those 35¢ manufacturer's cents off coupons. I had to turn them down since I had some of my own. Great minds ... they think alike! + Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

[TerryTerrific]

Originally Posted by tfinetwins We donate to the Round Hill pantry near us. I have to ask what those $1 off gas coupons are and where do I get them?

When Giant Eagle has a grand opening or a grand reopening of one of their stores, they have promotions to get the customers into the store.

I refer to their effort as a 'cookie cutter approach' where it is very predictable what they will be offering in terms of promotions.

Building new stores is also done in a cookie cutter approach, since it is the most efficient way to go.

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There will be an additional page added to the weekly store ad.

It is called a half height / gate / wrap around.

Its' purpose is to able to add additional sale items to an already printed store ad (store ads are printed weeks in advance).

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One of those promotions is a coupon that reads:

"Earn FREE fuel ...

$1.00 off per gallon of fuel in FuelPerks! discounts with a new or transderred prescription."

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Here is a look:

8 Giant Eagle Pharmacy Fuel Coupons 11-18 + 2 BONUS! - eBay (item 180425820661 end time Nov-04-09 16:52:14 PST)

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Q) Want to build up your FuelPerks balance?
A) Using these coupons when getting prescriptions filled is the way to go!

Especially those $4.00 prescriptions.


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At the checkout, the cashiers are instructed to circle your FuelPerks balance and to tell you the dollar amount.

When they tell me I have $7.99 in FuelPerks I ask:

Q) Is that good or bad?



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Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

[Shannon T]

I donate wipes, toothpaste, body wash and other HBA items to the womans shelter every year!

[pthappy6]

My favorite charity to donate extra HBA items and some food items is Military Connections. They are in the Pgh area (USC/Bethel Park) and send care packages to our troops overseas. You can drop off at the coordinators house, who lives about 5 minutes from South Hills Village. Here is a link w/more info: Military Connectons

[Vegasgal]

I just took 50 bags of the Streamfresh veggies to the Food Bank in Delmont along with chicken broth and other items this wee.

My son and I also donate our time to the Giant Eagle Fall food drive. We pass out flyers at our local Giant Eagle.

When I make donations at the local woman's shelter and the food bank they always send me an acknowledgement letter. I save them in the event Giant Eagle decides to do away with or place strict limits on coupon use. I could always send them a letter along with copies of my donation letters pointing out how some of the organizations they also support are benefiting by my coupon use.

[Johnnychimpo17]

Question for the donators: Do you claim the food you donate on your taxes? If so, is it fair market value or the amount you paid (which should be zero!!)? Do food pantries even give receipts for taxes?

[TerryTerrific]

Originally Posted by Johnnychimpo17 Question for the donators: Do you claim the food you donate on your taxes? If so, is it fair market value or the amount you paid (which should be zero!!)? Do food pantries even give receipts for taxes?

Oh, they give receipts.

When they see me coming through their door, they are geting out their receipt pad / book.

I prefer to make an anonymous donation asking that only that the donations be put to good use.

So I do not get a receipt.

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I also mention that it is through double coupons and free item coupons that my donations are possble.

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The Parma Heights, OH Food Pantry has a box set up in their small waiting room that is full of coupons for people to look at and take home..

It is a start.

I believe in the ...

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day,

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

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Some recently donated items include:

• Lipton tea bags (the smallest box)
• Swanson chicken broth (the less sodium one)

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Do not toss your expired items like toothpaste and trial size pain relief, like Motrin.

I asked and they will gladly take it.

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Terence in Brook Park, oHIo

[Vegasgal]

I don't save my receipts either. I pay next to nothing for alot of the items and it's not worth my while. I think you'd probably have to ask an accountant to get the correct answer. We tried to read over the rules once and couldn't get a clear answer. I even called the IRS and they weren't much help either.