Have a Strange Question for You

Updated on July 21, 2009
B.V. asks from Lees Summit, MO
14 answers

I am responsible for decorating the tables at our church for a missions around the world conference. Since I love to do different levels in centerpieces for the tables I decided I would use UNOPENED boxes of things like hamburger helper and suddenly salad that type of thing and cover them. Then after the conference I will donate all of the unopend boxes to our compassion ministries food pantry. So.... my question is, although I do not mind buying some of what i need, there will be 180 boxes I need to buy! Assuming I can find these at a $1 a piece that would be great but most i've seen is more like $2-3 and I am limited on how many coupons I can print online. I plan on buying some myself but wondered if anyone knows of a store that is good about donations? I hate calling around and being told no so I thought I'd ask if anyone knows where I might start my quest? Thanks

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

When is this event? I know a way you could get many donatable items for free. I am hosting a class Monday evening in Grain Valley that teaches families to save money and cut their budget, and learn how to get items for FREE EVERY WEEK!! I have been getting FREE toothpaste, deodorant, headache medicine, grocery items, and more for months now! The most recent free stuff I have been getting is school supplies and cereal! I am talking NAME BRAND too, not generics. Brands include: Colgate, Listerine, Advil, Nivea, Schick, Post, Kellogg's, and many more.

1 mom found this helpful

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

If it doesn't need to be specific items....go to Aldi's and see what they have there....or hit the local dollar store. It won't be name brand but that doesn't necessarily matter. You can even get none food items like toilet paper, kleenex, things like that!!! It is a great idea...I applaud your generous spirit!!!
R. Ann

1 mom found this helpful

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I just went the donation route a week ago...Wal mart you need a month in advance and then they will only give you $25 gift card...K-mart isn't doing donations...the economy has hit a lot of these places now. Not sure about some of the grocery stores since that is not what I needed for my donation.
However, the Dollar Tree stores has food products similar to what you are looking for. They may donate to your cause or if not they are only a dollar or less a box. There are enough of the stores around that you should be able to get what you need.
Hope you get what you need and Good luck and God Bless.

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

When I organized a charity event for a friend of mine who has cancer, I asked Dierbergs and Shop n Save for help. I had to write a letter to them, with certain requirements (don't remember exactly, but you can ask them). They ended up giving me gift cards for use in the store. I think one was $25, the other was a little bit more.

D.B.

answers from Wichita on

Go to your local Dollar Tree. They have lots of dinner items and all for only $1

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T.A.

answers from Wichita on

I have a couple of suggestions. First off, why not ask people in your church to donate these items to be used for the decor and then passed on to the local food pantry. You could ask your minister to make a request from the pulpit or place it in your bulletin. If every family donated a box or 2, you'd have more than you needed and you'd help out those in need as well.

I also know that Wal-Mart will give out gift cards to non-profit organizations for these types of things. Every Wal-Mart has different selection criteria, so you'll need to call your local store to find out about their charitable donations.

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W.F.

answers from Kansas City on

HyVee is very good about supporting the community. I suggest you contact the HyVee on State Line. Thank you.

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K.O.

answers from Wichita on

Wal-Mart, Target, and local grocery stores will usually give a donation or a gift card so you can purchase what you want. There is usually only a one page application form and you usually hear within a week (I have done this a lot for our local PTO).
Also, ask church members to donate a box of food. Most are willing to do so and you would end up saving a bundle!
Good luck!
K.

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S.S.

answers from Wichita on

Walmart will always give you $50. They have a policy limiting it to that, but it is a start. If you have a large church, ask who are the business owners/managers in your congregation. They often have budgets that include money for small donations. Target will not give, it is corporate policy, so don't waste your time. Good luck

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

All the stores listed should do something minimumal which will add up. Why not ask some of your good friends at church to donate some of the items? Although not perfect have people donate their empty boxes for a while. Not sure when your event is and how much lead time you have.

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C.M.

answers from Springfield on

Try a Dollar store or even dollar tree and I don't know where U live but if your close to Lebaon Mo, they have a whole grocry there and you can pick up boxes for 79* cents -$ a 1.00

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E.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Suddenly Salad is 10 for $10 at Schnucks this week and there are tons of coupons available for it online.

Also, why don't you email Kraft, General Mills, Schnucks, etc to ask for a donation of food items? They might help and it wouldn't take long to send an email.

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

who is in charge of your food pantry? If you are in the KC area, non-profit organizations can sign up for harvesters so if your church isn't already getting food from them then it is something you might want to check into. It is a great way to get food for the pantry very cheap.
When we do a missions banquet, we put different centerpieces on each table, some items are borrowed from those that have been to other countries on a missions trip, you can also use the small decorative chinese food boxes and have chopsticks next to them. A local chinese restaurant may donate some of those to you. The dollar store has them sometimes too and think I have also purchased the boxes at big lots as well. Since you are covering boxes, shop at aldi there are boxes of things there under 1.00. noodles, taco shells, snack crackers, etc. We buy most of our groceries there and most of it taste good even though they aren't name brand items. In fact my kids like their cereals better than the name brands and is less than 2.00 a box.

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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

HyVee!! They have always donated many things to our schools. They are such a great store, I'd think they'd also do something for a church.

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