Suggestions needed to help pantry with coupon ministry

[go falcons]

Hi All,
I need some suggestions here. I have been asked by my local food pantry /shelter to help teach them about coupons so they can get the maximum out of their donation money to help others in our community.
They will be asking for donations of coupon inserts from the main church who supports them.
When people ask me about how to get started using coupons ( I have a huge binder that often attracts alot of attention -so I get asked this quite often ) I ussually tell them I think the insert filing system is the easiest system to start with and I explain how the print outs from this site works etc.
I personally use both the binder system and the file system to catch unexpected sales.
This case - though will be different .because there will be several people using whatever we system we decide to use ..
So here's what I am thinking about doing for them . I will set up a big binder for them, but instead of having everything filed by catagory. I will have it set up by insert . That way all they have to do is come here print the list for whatever store they want to use . I'll have them set up with store catagories at the front of the binder( Kroger,Publix, etc ) . I am going to volunteer to keep thier system - whatever it is - filed and up to date on a regular basis.
If any of you have any other suggestions or different ideas , I'm open to them. I just hate to go over there and see thier shelves empty when the work they do is so valuable to this community.
Thanks - Go Falcons

[coupondad]

wow that is truly and sincerely very nice of you! you are really taking on a big task! I think your idea is a great one, andI have never though of using a file system! i would (if you wanted to be really caring) organize each grocery store by aisle, if you know them well, or by sorted products (dry goods, frozens, etc.) awesome job!

[CherryPicker]

I'm sure that your efforts will be more than appreciated. I have my binder set up by the model of my favorite store... "Produce" "HBA" "Grocery"...
(I guess you can say the 'aisle system'. LOL!!)

Good Luck To You.

[mommyd]

Hey did the same too! I picked the grocery store I frequent the most & set up my binder by that. If you cannot remember what is in each aisle get a store map when you set up your binder if you pick this option.

[kimshaw1106]

new to the site..I was wondering if there is a spot on here that tells about the binder and filing system..cause I have no clue what you are all talking about sorry

[klova]

What a great idea! I volunteer at a church every Sunday in a very poor area that has free breakfast and a food pantry which is a huge success. I never thought of actually teaching the people how to use coupons to maximize what they can purchase on their own (the food pantry is supposed to only supplement what they purchase on their own). I would love to find out how it is going for you in the future and how much of a time commitment it ends up being once you have the flow down.

[mommyof2boys]

This is so nice of you to do. I would love to donate any coupons that I am not using if there is something that you need. Feel free to PM me if there is something specific that you are looking for.

Have a great day
Heather