Giving Hearts Day: Double Your Gift to Local Nonprofits!

I am excited to share with you once again about Dakota Medical Foundation's Giving Hearts Day today, February 14th 2012!

For 24 hours, Dakota Medical Foundation and other generous donors will match contributions of $10 or more made online at ImpactGiveback.org to benefit more than a hundred charitable organizations across our region.

This opportunity to double your giving is only available today, 2/14!  Read more about any of the 140 organizations participating this year for more information, then go give what you can!

Fill The Dome 2011!

Fill the Dome is happening now! Help the youth of our area fill the floor of the Fargodome during the largest running food drive in the FM area! It’s a great way to help the “Great Plains Food Bank” get stocked up on supplies.

Make your non-perishable food donations on Nov 21 at the Fargodome between 9 and 4, at the school of your choice (will go toward that schools totals) or at area Gate City Bank and Sanford Health locations. Or, choose a prepacked donation bag for $10 at Hornbacher's stores from 4-7 on weeknights or 11-5 this weekend.  For more info on donations or ways you can help, head over here!

YWCA of Cass Clay: Baby Items Needed

Can you help the YWCA? They are looking for some specific baby items. Here are the items they are looking for:

*Diapers (Size 4-6)
*Good Start Formula (Regular or Soy)
*Sippy Cups
*Large Baby Bottles
*Baby Monitors
*Winter Apparel for school aged children
*Baby Lotion

Drop off any items you may have at the 3000 South University YWCA Shelter, or contact the YWCA at 701-232-3449. Thanks for helping out in your community!

YWCA of Cass Clay: Hygiene Items Needed

The YWCA of Cass Clay is running low on hygiene items, according to a post on the YWCA Facebook page this week.  If you have a stockpile that includes hygiene items or are simply willing to buy a few extra next time you see items on sale, please consider generously sharing with the YWCA. Drop off items at the South University YWCA (3000 S. University Dr.)

Another YWCA Facebook post earlier this week stated the need for Good Start Gentle Baby Formula (in the orange container).  While you're headed to your stockpile, check out the full list of needs at the Cass Clay YWCA.  Thanks for considering others in your community!

World's Largest Ice Cream Social Tonight!

Head out to Coldstone Creamery locations tonight from 5-8 PM for the 10th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation!

For each $1 donation to the Make a Wish Foundation, Coldstone will provide a FREE "like it" sized "Sprinkled with Wishes" creation.  This looks delicious, complete with brownies, fudge and sprinkles!

Make a Wish is an organization that means a great deal to my family and I hope you'll consider heading out tonight to support them in exchange for a sweet treat!  For full details, read more here!

Pizza for a Purpose: Lunch Today!

If you're looking for something to do for lunch today, join the United Way of Cass Clay and Western Bank from 11-1 today at the Western State Bank parking lot (near 13th Ave Target) for Pizza for a Purpose!

Lunch will include Papa Murphy's pizza, pop and cookies. For the little ones, there will be inflatable games! Lunch is yours for a free-will donation ($5 suggested) and all proceeds benefit the United Way of Cass Clay!

More Ways to Help Minot Flood Victims

If you are interested in more ways to help our neighbors out west in and around Minot, here are some more ideas:

Box Tops for Education and other Food Labels Drive

Schools in Minot are collecting Box Tops for Education, Campbell's labels, Our Family UPCs and more to help offset the costs of rebuilding.   If you're interested in giving all or some of your Box Tops, head over here for more info!

Vote for America's Favorite Parks

Vote for Minot's Oak Park in the America's Favorite Parks Contest and help them win up to $100,000!  Vote as many times as you like through 9/6, or vote directly on KX News Minot's Facebook page!

If you know of other events or groups organizing events or drives, please let us know more in the comments!  Thanks!

Cherries for Charity!

The 29th Annual Cherries for Charity event is back now through July 19th!  Cherries are on sale for $1.98/lb (wahoo!) at Hornbacher's this week, and for each pound sold, $0.25 is donated to the YWCA of Cass Class and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo Mooorhead!

This morning the YWCA of Cass Clay reported on Facebook that just yesterday 15,916.54 pounds of cherries were sold!  (Which equals approximately 835,618 individual cherries!)

This is a fabulous was to get out and support your community, all while getting the lowest price we've seen on cherries this year (by $0.50/lb!)  Plus, remember that for each pound sold, $0.25 benefits our local community organizations!

Couponing for a Cause - A HUGE Thank You!

Thanks so much to all of you who came out and braved the heat on Wednesday to bring your donations to the Couponing for a Cause donation drive! All said, so far you all have donated over $1700 worth of food items, personal items, pet and baby items and more! It was fun to add up the retail totals knowing that we only pay a small portion (or none) of that total using coupons. Thanks for giving to our neighbors in need out in the Minot area.

All the food, personal care and cleaning items were given to the Great Plains Food Bank to take to Minot. Pet items were taken to the pet stores collecting them.

To see an album of the donation items, head over to the FM Cheapskate Facebook page. I believe you can scroll through these pictures even if you are not a Facebook user.

I also know there are several of you who couldn't make it on Wednesday, but still have items to donate. The Great Plains Food Bank has made it super easy to do. Just drop your items off next time you head to any local grocery store or Walmart store and put your items in the Minot Flood Relief Bins. And, if you're willing, email me a quick picture of your items and a rough estimate of the retail value, and I'll add it into our photo album!  Email me at fmcheapskate@gmail.com. Thanks!

If you'd like to volunteer your time, the food bank will be sorting these items before they're sent. Head over here for more info or give their volunteer line a call at 701-232-6219 for more information on volunteering.

Again, what a great way to show the good that coupons and the people that use them can do. For more ways that you can help, just read the last several posts in the Giving Back category on this site for more ideas!

Couponing for a Cause: Minot Donation Drive Today!

Don't forget to come out to West Acres this afternoon from 4-7 to drop off your donation items for Couponing for a Cause!

We're collecting nonperishable food items, bottled water and other beverages, personal items, cleaning supplies, baby items and pet items to send with the Great Plains Food Bank and PetSmart to Minot.

One more item to think about bringing: I called the Great Plains Food Bank this morning and confirmed that they will also accept entertainment items to distribute to families at the Red Cross shelters in Minot. I went through my gift closet and found LOTS of crayons, markers, coloring books and puzzles, a few board games, books and toys I've purchased on sale or clearance. Being a mom of a 4 year old, I can't imagine being cooped up in a shelter without something with which to entertain my daughter! Consider checking out your stockpile or gift closet area for these kinds of items as well!

Come out and say hi, bring your items and we'll send it where it's needed, then tally it all up to show what coupons can do!

Couponers Unite to Help Flood Victims!

I've posted about a few ways you can help the flood victims in Minot and surrounding areas and events and ways to donate for the displaced pets. For those of you who haven't donated yet or want to contribute again, Brittany over at Frugal in Fargo and I have joined forces to showcase the power of coupons used for good!

Join us for a donation drive we're calling "Couponing for a Cause" this Wednesday, June 29th from 4-7 PM at West Acres.

For more info on what we're collecting and where to find us, head over to Frugal in Fargo, where Brittany will give you all the details!  We're excited for lots of you to come out and say hi while you donate! 

Oh, and while you're at it, share the Facebook event page with your friends to let them know as well!

More Ways to Help Flood Victims

I posted earlier this week some ideas on ways we can send help out west to flood devastated areas.  There are several more ways you can get involved and help out.  Here is what I've come across:

From Valley News Live on Facebook:
On Monday, June 27th from 8 am to 6pm, a drive-through and walk-up monetary donation area will be set in the southeast corner of the Fargo Holiday Inn parking lot (3803 13th Ave S). Donations from this event will go to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help residents affected by flooding in Minot.  For more info, head to the Money for Minot webpage.

From Ms. Simplicity on Facebook:
Minot rescued pets need bedding, please repost on your page to get word out, CLEAN towels and cut up blankets, even clean sweatshirts, not sheets, these items needed for animals to lay on. Drop off at PetCo and PetSmart in Fargo. 

I called PetCo this morning and they are accepting Pet supplies of all kinds to be taken to Minot .  At this time, it was unknown when donations would be taken to Minot, so feel free to call ahead to be sure they are still accepting items.  If you plan to head to PetSmart this weekend, take along the coupon for 2 FREE Fancy Feast at Petco valid this weekend only!  These items would make great donations as well!

PetSmart is also accepting Pet supplies of all kinds, and expect items to be taken to Minot later this coming week. 

As more opportunities arise for us to give and share, I will keep you posted!

Giving Back: Minot Flood Victims

Photo Credit

I mentioned on FM Cheapskate's Facebook page that I'd let you know as opportunities arise to help our neighbors in Minot as they deal with dangerous flooding. Thousands have now been forced to evacuate and shelters have been set up to house those Minot residents that have nowhere to stay. Please join with me in giving generously to the following organizations and food drives! As more opportunities arise, I'll keep you updated.

Great Plains Food Bank: Nonperishable food items, Personal and Cleaning Items, Volunteers

The Great Plains Food Bank announced just this afternoon that they will be accepting donations of nonperishable food, personal care items and cleaning supplies to help residents in Minot and the surrounding areas who are and who will be affected by flooding. These items will be used at shelters and food pantries, as well as mobile feeding units and during cleanup.

From The Fargo Forum:

Items may be dropped off at the Great Plains Food Bank at 1720 3rd Ave. N. in Fargo. Hours are until 8 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and during regular business hours starting Monday.

Food donations also will be collected through July at Fargo-Moorhead’s six Hornbacher’s stores, four SunMart stores, two Cash Wise Foods stores and three Walmart stores. Collection barrels will be clearly marked at the stores’ front entrances.

Read more on items most needed and volunteering your time with the Great Plains Food Bank.

Salvation Army: Monetary Donations

Text MINOT to 80888 to donate $10. Reply with "Yes" to the confirmation text. A one time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill.

Red Cross: Monetary Donations

Donate online to the American Red Cross Mid Dakota Chapter.

As couponers, many of us often keep well stocked pantries of items that we buy for free or cheap on sale and with coupons. For me, the opportunity to give in situations like this is one of the reasons I shop the way I do. Now is the time to dig deep if you can! Get your donations of a few items or a few boxes full of items up to the Great Plains Food Bank or to one of our grocery stores as soon as you're able. I love knowing that so many of you will be sharing of your stockpiles to benefit our neighbors in Minot!

Giving Back to our Schools: Labels for Learning, Box Tops and more

It's that time of year again!  Schools are asking for you to turn in your Labels for Learning, Box Tops for Education, Labels for Education and Kemps Nickels for Schools.

Call your school to see which items they collect for fundraising, then send them to school with your kids!

Food Club Labels for Learning print at the bottom of your Cash Wise receipts with any Food Club, Full Circle, Paws or Top Care purchase.  Each point equals $0.01 given to your school when redeemed.  The points from this school year expire 6/15, so be sure to turn them into the school soon!

Our Family Labels for Learning are redeemed by saving UPC barcodes from Our Family products (sold at SunMart stores), and turning them into the school.  Each barcode represents $0.05 that will be given to the school when redeemed!

Box Tops For Education are found on so many items it's hard to name them all!  Head over here for the full list of participating products, which includes General Mills products, Kimberly Clark products (Huggies, Kleenex, Kotex), Ziploc, Brita, Pillsbury, Land O' Lakes, Betty Crocker, Cascadian Farm, Nestle, Avery and many more!  These usually have a few years before they expire, but go ahead and turn them in each year for your school.  Each Box Top is worth $0.10 when turned in to your school and redeemed!

Campbell's Labels For Education are found on Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, Pop Secret, Bic, Post products and many more!  Each year, schools can redeem their label points for educational products!

Kemps Nickels for Schools are found on Kemps milk caps, cottage cheese containers and more.  Turn these into your child's school for $0.05 per label!

Be sure to check with your child's school to see which they accept, and get yours into the school before the end of the year!

Stamp Out Hunger Tomorrow 5/14!

I'd encourage you all to consider joining in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive tomorrow, Saturday May 14!

This is one of the easiest ways I know to share with those in need in your community, because your mail carrier picks it for you!  Just set out your donation of non-perishable food items in a bag (please no glass containers or expired items) and place it by your mailbox tomorrow. Your mail carrier will take it to a local donation site. In our area, donations go to the Great Plains Food Bank.  Easy peasy!

As "couponers," we all know that often times to get the best deal, you need to buy several of an item at once. Or, sometimes we have several coupons that will equal free or cheap groceries and are able to stock up!  Because I shop with these principles, I find donating to causes like this (and many others) to be particularly easy (I just go to my basement pantry and load a bag or two), inexpensive (most of the items cost very little actual money) and rewarding (I feel like I can give more generously than I may have once been able to do).

If you want more info, head over to the Stamp Out Hunger page or Stamp Out Hunger on Facebook!  If you'd like, join in the Couponing for Community group and share photos of your donation and find out what other couponer's do to give back!

Around Town This Weekend: Stuff the Truck, Kite Day and Free Comics!

I shared yesterday about the 3 RedHawks game this weekend you can get into for FREE, but there are lots of other awesome events going on around town this weekend!

Today at Luther Family Ford in Fargo (32nd Ave and I-29), bring gently used clothing, electronics, household or kitchen items and furniture to help the Salvation Army "Stuff the Truck."  There will be a semi trailer in the parking lot waiting to be filled to benefit the Salvation Army Thrift Store!

This event runs from 10-2 today!  Bring out the family with your donations and enjoy hot dogs, chips and drinks as well.  The event is sponsored by the Salvation Army, Luther Family Ford, Life 97.9, the FM Realtors and Arnhalt Transportation.

From 12:30-3 this afternoon, Faro Parks is hosting Kite Day.  Admission is free and anyone is welcome to participate at Ed Clapp Park, near the James Carlson Library (the new south library on 32nd Ave in Fargo).  Prizes will be awarded and hot dogs and Pepsi will be served while supplies last.  Sounds like fun even if you just go to watch!
Thanks to Jennifer and Alicia on the FM Cheapskate Facebook page!

Last but not least, head to Comic Junction and Paradox Comics-N-Cards in Fargo for Free Comic Book Day, where participating comic book shops give away comics absolutely FREE!
Thanks to Jenelle over at Hospitality on a Dime for the heads up!

Perkins: FREE Pancakes Today 3/21!

Perkins is serving up FREE pancakes to all guests today til 10 PM!  As a thank you, they would ask that you consider a donation to "Give Kids the World," a non-profit organization that provides week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their deserving families.  What a great cause to support!

Fargo Perkins is participating!  If you eat at another Perkins, you may want to call ahead just to be sure!  For more info, head over here.

Thanks Springs Bargains!

Spaghetti Benefit for Leo Hoepfner Family!

Friends and family of the Hoepfner family are hosting a Spaghetti Benefit Dinner this Sunday March 20, with all proceeds benefiting the Leo Hoepfner Benefit Fund, to cover the family's medical, travel and living expenses during this time of crisis.

Leo is a husband and father fighting a rare bone cancer called chondrosarcoma.  He has received medical care at Sanford in Fargo and will now be headed to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for surgery and further treatment.  To read more about his family and the medical issues he's been facing, head over to their CaringBridge website.  (Just request the password and the author will send it to you.)

I don't know this family, but it is a friend of mine's family, and that brings it close to home for me.  You don't need to know them either to come out and support them on Sunday.  And, you'll get an awesome spaghetti dinner out of the deal!

The benefit is being held at Duane's House of Pizza on Highway 10 in Moorhead from 11 AM - 4 PM on Sunday.  Adults contributions are $10 and kids ages 1-5 are $5. 

I am a big fan of supporting families in need by attending benefits like this and thought you might like to know about it as well.  I am a self-proclaimed cheapskate, but I think it's important to be rich in giving.  Attending a benefit is such a blessing to the family or individual in need.  And, it's nothing out of your pocket but what you'd spend on a meal out anyway!

I know from personal experience the blessing my family received from a benefit put on for us when my husband Nate needed an unexpected heart surgery just after we were married.  There was no way for us to completely provide financially for ourselves and our medical costs at that time, and that is often the case for families facing medical issues.  I still am grateful to those that put in time planning the benefit, but also for those who came out to eat spaghetti that night!

Please consider heading over to Duane's in Moorhead on Sunday, or consider making a donation to the "Leo John Hoepfner Benefit Fund" at any Gate City Bank.

Granite City Deals to Benefit Children's Hospital!

I love getting a good deal, but I love a good deal even more when it's for a great cause!

Through March 29th, make a $5 donation to your local Children's Hospital (ours is Sanford Children's Hospital) at any Granite City and receive a coupon for a FREE Flatbread Pizza on your next visit! (regularly around $10!)

Or, if you choose, donate $1-$4 and receive a coupon for $2 off brunch coupon.  Not nearly as good of a deal if you ask me! 

There's another option that could be a great deal for you today.  For a $5 donation you can choose a Mug Club Membership, and there is a Mug Club member's event from 4:00-6:00 tonight!  Members and one guest receive a complimentary appetizer buffet with Corn beef and cabbage, Caesar salad and dinner rolls!  They will be tapping a new seasonal beer, drinks are an extra charge. 

There are other Mug Club events throughout the year, so another great way to benefit from your donation to the Children's Hospital!

Let us know if you go or if you've had the flatbread pizzas at Granite City before.  I've heard they are great, and I've never had anything at Granite City that wasn't!

IHOP: FREE Pancakes Tomorrow 3/1!

IHOP's nationwide are celebrating National Pancake Day tomorrow, 3/1 by giving away a FREE Short Stack of Pancakes for each guest from 7 AM - 10 PM!

All they ask is that you consider leaving a donation of any amount for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  In our area these donations would benefit the Sanford (Meritcare) Children's Hospital.