No, not that kind of purging!
I'm talking about going through the kid's toys and donating some of the great ones that the kids have lost interest in. They'll be getting the latest robots and tech gadgets in a few weeks! Let them participate and please, just throw away those grubby or parts-missing toys! And while you're out shopping for the new ones, throw in one or two extras for toy donation centers. The kids feel really good about helping and it makes them better people!
While you're in their rooms, go through the clothes and donate those coats that don't fit, the jeans that are too short, and the warm sweaters that Miss Fancy Pants just doesn't enjoy anymore!
Then go to the kitchen pantry and dig deep! There are going to be lots more people in need of help this year and the cupboards are bare!
I clean mine out and then go to Aldi's and buy flour, sugar, oil, big boxes of cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, cans of tuna, salmon, Spam, kidney beans, green beans, potatoes, peaches, pears, pineapple, and applesauce. Boxes of noodles, macaroni, and spaghetti are paired with spaghetti sauce and Velveeta.
I know bags of rice and beans are good purchases, but many people don't have the knowledge or the means to cook from scratch and canned soups and ready to eat things like canned ravioli are big hits with adults and kids alike!
And don't forget to donate a little cash to the pantries cause they need to help buy baby formula and diapers and the money comes in really handy!
Then...go give thanks for how well you have it and the fact that you have enough and some to share!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
PURGE!!!
Posted by Kathy at 8:07 AM
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14 comments:
You're a beautiful soul :) I've given my cans of Ravioli and tuna, spaghetti and yes asparagus...Excellent post!
I saved my asparagus for myself! I don't know if that is selfish or thoughtful! I hate to think of a hungry little kid being forced to eat canned asparagus! lol
As someone who's been all the way down and had to rely on pantry food, let me say thank you.
You're right about the rice and beans... also, dried rice and beans are given out by the government, so even those who do cook them (I did) often have plenty.
The other tip is not to send things you have to make with other things. For example, cake mixes and dry mac and cheese. They require eggs or milk, and eggs and milk are often hard to come by. If people are going to the pantry for food, it's because they're totally out of money, so they aren't going to be able to GET eggs and milk and butter.
Many companies donate day old bakery, so don't worry about sweets for the kids, either. I've been to pantries where they've given out nothing BUT sweets and breads (because donations were down and that's what they get in abundance) and when I asked if there were any powdered milk available or any veggies, was made to feel like a heel for asking for 'more', since we at least had food to fill our bellies.
One thing pantries don't get enough of is protein. If you can give peanut butter, canned beans or canned meats, that's great. There are times people can go months to the pantry and see very little in the way of protein.
And as for money, yes, you can donate cash, but you can often also donate diapers and formula. Also in very slim supply are feminine hygiene product and for some of us, toilet paper has been like gold.
I blogged about pantry experiences and health back in January in my post Poverty and Food Choices
as one of those that goes to a food pantry twice a month, I am so very thankful. It's my source for junk food! I will buy the jumbo bag of brown rice, but the food pantry supplies me with things like capri sun's and poptarts that I would never buy.
And my way of giving back? Since I don't know anyone with a little boy younger than mine, I have taken all of Jack E's stuff there. I love seeing a mom with her baby picking my guy's stuff off the baby rack.
Even when we have so little, I love being able to teach my kids there are folks with less.
Noelle...that's an excellent point and one I will remember! Harold was laid off work once when the girls were little and collected unemployment insurance. Long afterward, Sarah remembered going to the unemployment office with her Dad and then going home and having tomato soup and pbj sandwiches! I think it was special to her...something they did together...and she remembers it fondly. You never know when bonding is going to take place!
Kate...Thanks so much for your great suggestions! I have close friends who help manage a pantry at their church and have tried to follow the guidelines they gave us, and your comments closely reflect theirs. Hope all is well for you now! It is a tough world out there!
Thanks for the reminder, Kathy. I still have a few bags of my big (ok, huge) clothes that I need to deliver.
Hope all is well on your end!
Skinny!!! So good to hear from you! And what a fabulous chore to have...gifting clothes that are too big!!! Is it two years that you've been at goal yet?
Already done and delivered. Thanks for the reminder.
Very good post. I learned a lot from reading the comments too. I will remember this advice on what items are good to give. Thanks
Excellent reminder to share our abundance.
We have so many nice toys just packed away in totes. It would be nice to just go through them and donate a bunch. I've been emptying my pockets for the red kettles and my 2 yr. old gets upset now if I don't have something to put in them. Much better than stopping at the gumball machines.
I've already donated 80 pounds of food in honor of my 80 pound loss for the WW Lose for Good, but I'll try to add a few cans each shopping trip yet.
You are a gem, especially to augment your castoffs with cash and basics.
When my husband was laid off for 2 years at a time when our country was not hiring a man his age (he had a few odd jobs- would do anything, but it was VERY rough- there just were not jobs and I worked 3 jobs!), many forgot that necessities like bread, rice,pasta, peanut butter, TP, were what was needed far more than toys for our kids...we lost so much weight (and we're already on the slender side), but we kept our love and every person who helped us we remember in our hearts and pass it on more to others. All year long, not just during the holidays we need to care for each other. Thank you for reminding us.
Gel...It's tough to go through, but I think hard times are real character builders. My husband and I grew up in very poor families and appreciate how hard it can be and how fortunate we are today. Thanks for your comment!
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