Okay lovelies, we know we ask a lot of you guys. Recently we have asked for your generosity in conjunction with Coupons for the Community and the Pay It Forward Sale and the Community Baby Shower. We really have been trying to suck every last bit of charity out of you haven’t we? We do it because we feel so blessed by couponing and we want to pass those blessings on to others.
Please know that we are aware many of you coupon because you are in dire financial situations. We would NEVER think any less of you if you are not in a position to give or if you simply do not care to. We just feel that because we are able to reach a wide audience, it makes sense to give others the opportunity to give back if they are able.
Here is one of those opportunities:
A few readers emailed us to let us know about a non-local mother of 7 young children (one of them a newborn) who recently passed away quite unexpectedly. The father/husband is trying to pick up the pieces as best he can, but their situation is quite dire. Reader Tonya knows the family and is planning a trip to deliver as much food as she can stuff into her vehicle. That’s where you guys come in.
Did you overestimate how many boxes of fruit snacks your family would consume before they expire and now have an excess?
Are you so sick of Fruity Pebbles you can’t see straight?
Does the mere mention of Quaker Instant Oatmeal make you want to gag?
Oh, that’s just me? Good to know! Seriously though, if you have an excess of anything in your stockpile that you would be willing to part with, now is the time to put it to good use.
But you have to act FAST. Tonya is leaving on her trip SATURDAY!! That means we need to get our donations to help this young family to her ASAP. You can drop them off at her house:
7180 N. Linder Rd.
Meridian ID (between State St. and Chinden just on top of the hill)
They aren’t leaving until SATURDAY. So you can still drop donated items all day tomorrow!!!
I have some fruit snacks, cereal, and granola snacks, and some other misc. items that I would love to donate. I live in Nampa and wouldn’t be able to get over to Tonya’s today. If someone from Nampa is heading over there and could stop by and pick these things up that would be awesome! I live over by Birch Elementary, off 11th & Birch in Sherwood Forest subdivision.
Hi Debra, I can come get them from you. Let me know what time they’ll be ready. Don’t worry, I won’t be ready for a few hours…still lookin’ like a monster lady at this hour! Please email us at fabulesslyfrugal@gmail.com with your exact address and a pickup time that works for you and I’ll be there.
Thanks SO much! AJ
I am in the Idaho Falls area but would love to participate somehow. Could a paypal account be set up so those of us who aren’t in the Boise area could donate $$$ and then have one of you great ladies work your coupon magic and turn the $$$ into groceries? My vote would be for the gal who bought over a $1000 in product for just $100!!! Just a thought for those of us who can’t make the drive but want to help this family.
I was wondering the same – I want to help but I am going out of town today and am swamped (hubby coming home from work trip and me leaving) – I’d love to help this family out, what a tragedy, I can’t imagine how heartbroken this family is.
I’ll check & get back to you. We should be able to just put up a link to our Paypal account to get donations that way, so I’ll look into it.
Hey – just poking my head in (got Family Reunion going on!), but anyone can just send a paypal payment to our email address: fabulesslyfrugal@gmail.com – just put a note on there that it is a donation!
Is she ok with us just showing up whenever? I will be able to get there this evening but dont want to interrupt her or anything. If she is not home, should we leave them in a specific spot? Thanks ladies!
Sophie,
She said whenever is fine. And if she isn’t home, just leave them on her front porch! Thanks sooo much for helping (always!).
I read this and my heart just broke. My brother and sister in law have six children and she is due any day with her seventh so it really hits home. I can’t imagine what this family is going through. Any little bit we can do to help will hopefully help them have less to worry about.
I’ll bring some things by today when I get a chance. I will clear out my pantry today.
Thanks Robin, you are amazing!
I know you mentioned that this family is non-local, but so am I (in Oregon). Is there any way that you’d be willing to publish the destination so if it happens to be close to a few of us who are further away, we can help? I have plenty of stockpile to share, and I’m sure others do, too, if we knew we could help.
While I know they are not from there, I believe the father has family in Canada so that is where he is moving his family. That is also where Tonya will be driving. I’m not sure what route she will take or what towns she will pass through but I can check & get back to you!
How old is the infant? What size of diapers should we bring? Is she/he on formula?
A month and a half. So sad! I would say size 1 diapers would be fine and YES on the formula question!
You can also send bigger sizes (2 or 3)…they will probably need them sooner than later!
Also I’m assuming they need things besides food like, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, razors etc
I would say definitely!!
OH good I don’t really have a stockpile of food but have some shampoo, soaps and what not that I will gather up and drop off.
Just a random recommendations…I would check with customs to see if there is anything specific you have to do to take all this stuff into Canada with you. You might have to have a list of what you are taking…not sure but would hate for you to get to the border and be stuck there because of stupid customs.
We checked with Customs and as long as we can prove that it is to be donated and not sold in Canada than we are ok. The family forwarded me a death certificate this morning. They are so thankful for all of you. You have no idea how wonderful this is and what an impact this is making to this family.
You guys are amazing, I am gathering some things from my myself and neighbors. You guys are wonderful, it makes my heart so full to read the comments and see that people are so willing to give.Thank you so much for your giving hearts I know you will all be blest.
I dropped some stuff off this morning. The family is in Canada but have been living in another country serving the local community. They only went back to Canada for the birth of their 7th child but the mother became sick after the birth of her baby and was never well enough to travel. The family only has what they packed in their suitcases for clothing and almost NO household items. I know 100% for sure that customs won’t allow any produce or anything perishable – canned, boxed or bottled items should be fine. I contacted the president of our relief society in Middleton and she’s having someone post on facebook for food donations with my house as the drop off point. I’ll be taking items over this evening. If you are in the Middleton area, you can drop off anything you would like to donate at 218 Park Place Way. Tonya’s husband is willing to pull a trailer (hopefully I didn’t misunderstand him) if they have enough donations to fill it. The children will be attending public school so basic school supplies might be helpful too. Also, if you can spare it, I’m sure toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap and laundry supplies would be greatly appreciated in addition to any toiletries that can be spared.
Wow Jennifer! Thanks so much for going the extra mile!!
Jennifer, will you be traveling through Star to drop off? I am three blocks off the hwy and have a few things to send.
Any way things can be transported from your house Cathy? I’d love to drop a few things on your porch on the way to work… not able to make it to Meridian.
Because Cathy is in the middle of her family reunion, she probably won’t be able to transport stuff. But, I can drive over tomorrow & pick stuff up from her house if you want to drop it off there. Let us know. Thanks!
Ok, just read the update… I can make it to Meridian tomorrow, just couldn’t today (and I live really close to Cathy). I will just add this stop to my list of errands for tomorrow!
I can’t believe what you fabs inspire… makes me so proud to be part of this couponing community.
I just missed you this morning. Thank you so much for all of your help. You have been amazing
What time is she leaving tomorrow? My husband drives by there on his way to work and could drop off stuff on his way tomorrow morning if that’s not too late.
Is the baby a boy or a girl? If it’s a boy, I can bring some clothes too. I just had a baby and have been given loads of clothes, too many for my own use, so I can send clothes too. Just let me know asap. Thanks- Robin
The baby is a boy, and they will take clothing for him! Thanks Robin!!
I will be going through Star and would be willing to go in to Eagle as well to pick up items. You can text me addresses for pick up to 870-0774. I’m at work right now and can’t answer my cell phone but I can receive text messages. I also need to know if the baby is a boy or a girl. I have quite a few people asking me that question.
The baby is a boy. Thanks again Jennifer!
Jennifer, I called my husband and asked him to text our address to you (I don’t have texting). If we are not home I will leave a bag of stuff on the poarch. Thank you!
Blessings,
Mary
Jennifer, I guess you never made it through Star as there is still a bag on my porch. I should be able to drop it off today so no worries.
monica are you taking things over? I would like to drop some stuff off to some one in boise to take for me. I live near edwards theater. Is the baby a boy or girl? I have some new clothing I could donate.
The baby is a boy
Amber has been picking things up all morning!
Kimberly – If Monica is not going to be headed that way, I can take your items if you can bring them to me near Overland and Eagle Road when I get off work. You can text me at 870-0774 and let me know if you need me to take them for you.
Ah, my heart breaks for this family. I have plenty of items to spare, but I can’t make it over there tonight. If there is any way we can mail a care package to this family, though (and, I know, they may not want their address released to the public at large), please let me know. I have extra packs of diapers, infant cereal, and certainly a TON of Johnson’s Buddies soap, and I would be happy to send a package. Actually, I have spare toys and kids books, too, and if what I read above is true, it sounds like these kids could use some (and school supplies, maybe?). Anyway, if they can get it set up to where I could mail them a care package, please let me know, either here or to my email address.
Julie, where are you located? Maybe one of us could take your stuff to the drop off for you…
Dubois (north of Idaho Falls).
Julie,
My husband and I are the family taking up the donations to Canada. We will be driving through Dubois on Saturday evening sometime. Please contact me at ton_ririe@yahoo.com and we can meet you. Thank you so much for your generosity!!!
That sounds fabulous. I will get a box together and have it ready.
My 5-year-old son was wondering why I was boxing some stuff up, and I told him the story, and he was so sad. He scrounged through his room and found several bottles (unopened) of bubbles left over from a party, and he would like to send them. I hope they like to blow bubbles. See you Saturday.
That is so sweet. Give him a big hug, please!! I just spoke with the family and they are overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness. We couldn’t do this without all of you.
I just talked to Tonya and ANYTIME friday is fine, they aren’t leaving until Saturday about noon. Having them by Friday will just help them have time to pack it and know what vehicle to pack it in.
THANKS
Wow you ladies are so amazing.
We almost did not post this because we thought people were tired of us asking for donations {garage sale, baby shower}!
So glad we did you fruGALs are amazing!
I am just so impressed with all of you! Great job! We were seriously looking at moving to Idaho about 5 years ago. I think we would have loved the people there. Keep up the good work. I live in Colorado and a few of us adopted a family recently where both parents lost their jobs and are about to lose their house. Please keep us posted, if we can help long distance.
I just got back from doing a drop off and after talking about this family’s situation, I found out all the kids could use clothing. Here are the ages:
17 yr old boy
15 yr old girl
14 yr old girl
11 yr old girl
9 yr old boy
7 yr old girl
2 month old boy
I’m told the kids are normal sizes, so the standard size for the age will suffice. If you have children these ages, you’ll know better than I do what that means! My kids are too small, so beyond the baby, I’m lost!
Do you know the ages of the other children? Are there any teenage girls who might be in need of sanitary items? I have lots I could donate if needed and would like to get some things put together to take over and drop off this evening. Thanks!
They could definitely use items for their teenage girls. You are awesome!! Thank you!!
Is there anyone from Nampa going to drop things off? I live near the Cheese Factory, and it would help a ton if someone that is already going could take the things I have. I found clothing, food, and toiletries, so I definitely want to share! You can call or email me…465-1878 or gbtank@qwestoffice.net Thanks!
I can drive to you tomorrow if that would help! Thank you!!!
I have 8 cans of similac formula that I have been looking to give someone who really needed it. I live in Nampa on Lake Lowell (just past the high school), and I work in the morning (really close to the Marketplace) until 1:00. If anyone can come pick it up from me I would be more than happy to donate it. I will be up for a while tonight (like midnight probably) and I can also take it to work with me tomorrow if someone can come by there… I really hope so because this formula could go a long way!
please text me or call me, don’t reply to this, I probably won’t get back to it till tomorrow. my # is 880-0014. thanks! (if someone does make arrangements to come get it I will put an update here though… 
thanks!
Katie
I could have it at my house (my husband will be home tomorrow) and I have cereal, granola bars, and juice too, don’t want to take a ton of stuff into work… If anyone from nampa is heading over there tomorrow contact me please!!!
Katie
I have talked to Katie and will go pick her stuff up tomorrow!
This story just breaks my heart. I don’t suppose you all will be driving through western wa? I’d love to donate!
We are driving through Montana. I wish we could go through Washington, but the funeral is Monday morning. Thank you so much for your kindness!!
We are driving through Montana. We would love to drive through Washtington to meet you. Thank you so much for your kindness!!!
I just talked with the family and they do not have a crib. Does anyone have a crib that their baby has grown out of? The response has been amazing. Thank you so much for your help!!!!!
Yes, they will need a crib because they now have a very cute crib set to use.
I just got home from Tonya’s and let me tell you it is amazing how many items people have already dropped off for the family. It truly makes me feel so blessed that I live among so many generous people who are willing to help at the drop of a hat for a stranger!!!
I have a crib, but it does need a piece to make it complete. If your handy, it should be an easy fix but if you have the time. Just leave a post here and I can drop it off tomorrow.
They are very handy and would appreciate it so much. I’ve been looking today for one and haven’t found one as of yet. You would be a lifesaver! Thank you so much!
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you kind souls. They are such a giving and caring family, it is so hard to see them going through this. The love and support they have received from complete strangers is overwhelming. I know how much they will love and appreciate all that you have done. What a relief this will be for the family to have the ability to mourn instead of worry about how to survive. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your all completely amazing. THANK YOU!
Beverly this is Lindsay Hendricks so I know where you live I have some stuff from ladies in my ward and my husband is taking it on the way to work so he could drive by your place and grab whatever you have. Respond back if you get this so I know if I should call you or just plan on picking it up in the morning. He will be heading past your house about 6:30 or 7:00 so if you could have it out by then he will get it to Tonya.
THANKS
I grew very weary of many of these couponing websites as I felt some couponers were hoarding and gloating about it. Seriously, who needs buckets full of toothbrushes? But, seeing the outpouring of support demonstrated here for this family, as well as the prior events, warms my heart. Thanks to our wonderful community for so generously helping out one another, and especially thanks to Fabulessly Frugal for providing us the opportunity to make such an impact. I appreciate every time you ask for donations, and hope to see more opportunities in the future. In times like these, it is imperative that we have each other’s backs. You never know when tragedy is coming.
Thanks again to EVERYONE!
Hey…we don’t have a crib, but we do have one of those portable playpen (play yards?) but ours does not have the bassinet attachment. We are willing to donate it to them, but I’m not sure if that would be helpful for them.
Yes, that would be very helpful. Your awesome!!!
I have a big bag of misc toiletries (shampoo, baby stuff, girl products etc) that has been sitting in my closet for a month now but I havent come up with a good place to donate it. I live off Victory and Eagle so close to some of you FabGals right? I can drop it off or meet up with anyone if they still need more!
I can pick it up sometime today. Just give me your address. Thank you!! 794 3226
I am driving down Eagle and Victory around 10:00 a.m. Give me a call and I will stop by. Thank you so much for your help!!
oh my goodness there have been so many phone calls i have lost your number on my phone is there anyway you could give me a call sometime soon? i would love to come pick the stuff up from you. thank you so much!
Oh goodness! What a story. Breaks my heart. She lives just down the street from m, how convenient! I will be taking lots over today. ♥
Do they need any other furniture? I have a loveseat that I was trying to sell on Craigslist, but if they can use it and it can be transported to them, I will gladly donate it. Let me know.
They could use a loveseat!! Thank you so much for your kindness
where do you live? we may be able to come pick it up if no one else can.
oh by the way my number is #794-3226
Is anyone close to Garden City area going that way? I have several cans of formula that need a home! -leslie 559-4111
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you kind souls. What an impact this has made to this amazing family. We are heading up to Canada and I will post pictures once I return.
A big hug to all!!