The Three C's - Coupons, Cows and Charity

Some of the grocery items donated this summer.

The Three C's - Coupons, Cows and Charity

Chapter 1: You can't really milk coupons for cows

Many of you will remember my hopeful entry into the world of coupon trading for the cow. I soon discovered that I am not cut out to be a traded and it's much much slower to trade enough to eventually be able to convert Canadian Tire money, gift cards or points into "cow money". I still keep trading a wee bit and hope to finish it up by Christmas. That's my deadline for raising the money for one cow. I'm at $225 after 9 months so with a bit of work, the cow should be in the shopping bag so to speak.


Chapter 2: Coupons put milk and cereal on the table.

While coupons aren't so great for cows, they turn out to be a super route to give locally and help people here and the established charitable organizations that serve them. I have taken things bought with coupons for free or near free to Crisis Nursery, Aids Saskatoon Homeless Drop-In Center, Food Bank, YWCA Shelter and SCAT.

I spent some time to talking to all of these groups to find out what was the "best match" in terms of their needs and my ability. In the end the best fit was the 601 Outreach Center that helps the homeless. They don't get tons of donations so things are really appreciated and used there. The staff is outstanding and the people who use their services are very helpful. When I pull up with my van, they all offer to help unload it.

So I still want coupons - lots of coupons so I can continue to buy health and hygiene items - toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, deoderant, as well as household and food items like laundry soap, dish soap, juice, cereal, snack food and dry goods etc.