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If you shop at the drug stores, you can get a ton of personal care items for FREE or very cheap every week. You can easily purchase more than what your family needs, so what do you do with the extra? You can donate it.
In reality, many low income families do not have the extra wriggle room to purchase toothbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. It can become a huge burden, especially in large families with multiple children. It’s hard to go without toothpaste, but you can’t use Food Stamps to purchase it.
There really are people who live in your city that you are capable of helping. All it would cost you is one extra stop per week and a few dollars to be a huge blessing to them. It teaches your kids to give generously and gives you the opportunity to do so much good. So, I want to encourage you to get those coupons ready and shop to help your city.
You can go here to see the top drugstore deals each week.
Here are some places to consider giving donations to:
Women’s Shelters
If you’re a woman at a shelter, you’re in a tough spot in life. It would be an huge encouragement and stress relief to have basic personal care items provided for you.
Besides the basics, other items that are great to donate to women’s shelters are nail polish, cosmetics, bath tissue, cleaning supplies, over the counter medicines etc. Another item to consider donating: cell phones.
A Local School
There are kids at most schools that do not have toothpaste and a toothbrush at home. Your guidance counselor will accept donations for personal care items, clothing, and school supplies. They are able to know which kids need them and will get the items to those families.
Many schools also accept coat donations, so be sure to look into that before getting rid of old coats.
Pregnancy Centers
There are organizations committed to helping women with unplanned pregnancies take care of their babies. Any personal care items as well as baby items are a huge help to these organizations. Diapers are rarely free, so they are a bigger purchase, but you can keep an eye out for those amazing deals or use extra money in your budget to buy some.
You can also consider donating car seats and other baby supplies your kids have outgrown.
Note: Be sure to research these organizations ahead of time and make sure the services they offer are in accordance with your beliefs.
Seniors
Social security checks really only go so far. Many seniors on a fixed income don’t have the extra money for personal care items and will just go without. You can take gift baskets filled with things and pay visits to seniors you know. They usually appreciate the company just as much as much (if not more) than the items.
Churches
Don’t forget your own local church. If your church has a food pantry, they probably also take personal care items. If not, let a deacon know you have items to donate. They can give the items to a family who will benefit from them. You may not always have a running list of who was laid off from their job, but the deacons will know.
What items do you donate? Where do you donate them?
Unsure how to shop drug stores? Go here.
