It’s Week 8 of the How to Coupon Class, and we’re talking about GIVING. If you’ve been doing your couponing right, you’re undoubtedly picking up some things you do not need. Why should you bother picking these things up? And should you continue? I say yes, and here’s why: Giving to others is one of the best things you can do. No matter who you give to, if they need it – you are helping out.
Read below on who I donate my items to!
Have you ever opened your pantry to find too much stuff?
Has all that CVS stockpiling started overcrowding your house? Do you ever find yourself not knowing what to do with yet another free shampoo or online freebie? We’ve all seen what the pantry can look like. Many of us are already donating many of these things to local organizations and shelters, which is fantastic. I’m asking you to think about sending some of these items much further.
What is Stockpiling for Africa?
Stockpiling for Africa is a way for you to help send the best of those free items to kids who need it more than ever. I started two non-profit organizations, Hope Runs, which has been featured widely in many magazines and newspapers, and IBECOME. These organizations work with AIDS orphans in East Africa. Early on, I lived in one of the orphanages for six months, and now I spend my time traveling back and forth to continue the work.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, basic medical and toiletry expenses are incredibly high for local people, and local orphanages. Most interestingly, the costs of many items (many imported) is grossly higher than the cost of regular food products when looking at proportional wages. Although orphanages may regularly receive food donations, they rarely receive donations of soap, feminine products, medicines and all other manner of toiletry products that the children regularly need – the very items that cost so much for local people to purchase.
Out in the USA, though, many of us frugal types are getting some of these items free every day! I started reading frugality blogs, playing the grocery game, and regularly requesting free samples even on things I don’t use so that I can send them to the kids we work with in Africa, and I am looking for more people to help in the effort!
How does it work?
You collect any and everything you can. Then, when you have enough that you’d like to pass it along to Africa you can send the items to me my organization (you will recieve a receipt for your in-kind donation through the US government):
Choyster Cash at Hope Runs
2831 Prince
Berkeley, CA
94705
However, I know that many people will want to save the cost of shipping, and so in this case please contact me at choystercash@gmail.com. Our volunteers regularly are flying in and out of many US cities and so it may work easily for us to have someone swing by your city and pick up a big load!
What kind of items can I donate?
Think high value, high use.
Feminine products, vitamins, medicines, band-aids, toiletries, shampoos, lotions, soap, makeup (goes only to those of age!), detergent, conditioner, pens, pencils…the list goes on!
Can I donate food?
Only high value, low space foods like power bars, protein bars, and instant drinks. (No bags of chips to Africa!)
Why is this important?
There are so many reasons, but suffice it to say that the words in the picture below (written by one of our students) says it all: “This is our gift from our God, we have to use it.”
Why give to Africa when I can give in my home community?
It’s great to give anywhere and I thank you for doing so!
Where can I get more information? What do I do if I have more questions?
Please email me at choystercash@gmail.com. Thanks!
