Do the Can Can!

Not that kind of Can Can!

As I was driving home today I was listening to NPR (as always), and they were talking about how food banks don't know what to do anymore because they are starting to get people who they were never designed to serve. For example, they are getting "average" families, people with 2 incomes, and when they break down their monthly rent/mortgage, utilities and daycare, there isn't anything left over. Many foodbanks are having to give less to more people, just so they don't have to turn anyone away.

So how can you help even if you are on a budget? You know all those coupons you have, for products that you probably won't use, or don't need? When you are at the store, see if those items are on sale, and use your coupons on top of the discount. When you get the BOGO on Ragu at your grocery store and get 4 for your family....get an extra 2 and donate them. When you go to CVS and you have to buy a bunch of something to qualify for your ECBs, take a little and give it back.

But what if you really really don't have the extra money for that? Well, are your kids growing out of anything? Chances are they have and their extra stuff is just filling space in your house. Find a neighbor, friend, relative, coworker, person at church, anyone who might need that stuff and give it to them. Look around your house at anything you don't really need and find someone who can use it. This is so much better than just taking it to the dump.