*This post has been sponsored by Social Fabric and Champions for Kids but all opinions remain my own. Full disclosure is at the bottom of the post.
My family likes to save where we can so we can donate more. We don’t donate to every charity out there but we donate too the charities that are closest to our hearts and several that our closest to our homes. This month is “Missions Month” at our church and I’m priviledged to be able to serve on the missions committee at our church. Our church believes in supporting local and national missions. As our pastor frequently says, “The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.” The missions committee decided that the theme for this month would be “Let your light shine.” As a way to shine our light we decided to give of our resources to two local charities. Families are encouraged to bring donations for a local food bank and for a local pregnancy center. I love both of these ministries and I enjoy shopping for charities.
A week or so ago I was contacted with the opportunity to Pack a Sack for Champions For Kids and I jumped at the chance. Champions For Kids is partnering with Abbot Brand Products to bring nutritional non perishable foods to local food pantries and food banks. I think it’s neat the way that it worked out because I would be buying food to donate anyway and now I get to promote a great cause and tell you about it. If I wasn’t part of this campaign I wouldn’t have thought to have told you about my donation but now I can tell you how I donated and encourage you to do the same in your local community.
Being on the missions committee it was my job to help spread the word about this month-long campaign. We’ve posted fliers, made announcements, added the details to the morning power point slide, and even handed out little key chains reminding people to shine their light. We have a designated area in the church where people can bring non-perishable donations.
I went shopping at our near-by Walmart for items to donate. First, I grabbed a few things I wanted to get for our home like Infant Advil (for my sick little one), an adorable mini-golf set (for her birthday coming up), and a new bucket and sponge so I can wash the thick pollen off of my car. Secondly, I went to the tote section and picked out a medium size tote that I thought would be good to fill with food for the food bank. Then I went shopping! If you’re interested you check out my whole Walmart shopping trip.
Even when buying for others I’m still thrifty. When it came to the name brand items that I’m uncompromising on and I buy faithfully for my family I bought those to donate and when I found a store brand item that my family loves I bought it instead of the name brand. I used coupons, paired them with sales. I spent as much money as I had budgeted to spend but this way my money went a lot further.
I really want my daughter to learn to be a giver. I hope to show her example after example of how our family gives to others and is grateful for all we have. I know it’s never too early to start leading by example but unfortunately my little sweetheart is down with an awful virus. She wasn’t well enough to go shopping with me and wasn’t well enough to go to church to drop off our items. Hopefully she’ll feel better soon and she can help us deliver the items to the food bank at the end of the month.
I know money is tight in every home, I know that. Some of you may have a few hundred to give, others a few dollars, and some truly can’t give anything. I understand, I’ve been in each of those places at some point in my life. If you have the money to donate I want to encourage you to give to others less fortunate…especially the children in your neighborhood.
About Ashley
I like your idea of donating locally. This has always been my mission. i don’t understand sending millions overseas when our own people are going hungry and without. i Believe in supporting the food banks and also donating money.because they can buy more with the money than we can. Keep up the good work.
I enjoy giving to both. It’s a shame that anyone would go hungry but I hate the fact that people in other countries don’t even have clean water to drink. I’m torn between local and global so I try to give to both.
This is such a sweet post and great reminder. We all should be giving more freely.
We all need reminded from time to time. I was talking with my husband on the phone a few days ago and we were complaining about his retirement benefits being cut when we saw someone eating out of a garbage can. We’re too blessed to not give to others.
I think this is an awesome project, Ashley. Last week we did a “Bumper Crop” Sunday with our church. Everyone left food on their car bumpers to donate to a local food bank. It was great.
What a fun idea!!
You’re sending such a wonderful message to your daughter by modeling what you hope she will continue!
This is wonderful that you are bringing awareness to this. It’s important that we give back especially when it come to children.
Yes, especially to children. I agree.
What a great example to show your children! I enjoy giving to good causes – it makes me feel good inside 🙂
Me too! 🙂
CFK rocks! I love the fact that couponing helps me give back and share more. You put together a wonderful collection of items for the food bank!
I agree, I love to coupon so that I can give more with the money I have!
What a wonderful effort! I, too try to keep my donations local, and mostly to organizations that are volunteer-run (all $ therefore goes to getting the actual work done!) Mostly these are very small animal rescue organizations here and abroad, but my husband and I continue to be disgusted and shocked by hunger around the world, even in North America, so this year we added cash donations to local food banks to our charity budget. Good for you!
I agree, it’s great to check out where you’re donating money too. We’ll never donate without doing our research. Yes, the hunger problem is very real here in America and in third world countries. It’s very sad.
We do much like you do. I also try to take advantage of buy one get one free sales with coupons and donate the second. Our Missions folks at church do separate collections for Missions- that’s where I encourage the kids to give half of their money they have set aside for church. That serves other families and neighbors in our community
That’s a great idea! I’ll have to remember that the next time I see a BOGO sale!
Wonderful lesson and message to share with your children 🙂 My family always connects when we work on giving projects together. Thank you so much for sharing your story 🙂