Giving

What is my Donation Box?

I actually technically don’t have a box, I have bags, but it doesn’t matter if you have a box, a bag or just a few items to give. Every week when I shop I keep my eyes out for super great deals, things that are free or almost free. However these are for things I either don’t use or have enough of right now. Yes I may have 10 tubes of toothpaste in the basement right now but if I can get it free this week I will get it and add it to my donation box. I do not need things like baby formula, wipes or diapers but if I can get a great deal I will purchase them and set them aside. Then at the end of every month I take those items and distribute them to family or friends that may need them or I take them to our local Ministerial Alliance.

Sometimes I do collect for a specific need like when my hubbies work collected for Gum Drops or my daughters school collected for a local animal shelter.

You would be surprised at how much all these little things can really help! Whether you can get some extra personal care items or a few extra boxes of cereal I am sure that there is some type of donation center locally to you.

Click here to read recent posts on donating/giving!

Places to Donate in Illinois

Are you looking for a place to give? Here are some great places in Illinois to donate. I am slowly working on a list of places to donate in the state of Illinois. Do you live in a town I haven’t covered yet and know of a great place I could feature? If so leave a comment or send me an email at farnama@gmail.com

Franklin County

Ministerial Alliance in Benton Illinois

Jackson County

Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois

Women’s Center in Carbondale Illinois

Willamson County

Community United Pantry in Carterville Illinois

Gum Drops Carterville Illinois

Lighthouse Shelter in Marion Illinois

Ministerial Alliance in Marion Illinois

Williamson County Family Crisis Center (homeless shelter)

Central/Northern Illinois

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry in Aurora Illinois

Cary-Grove Food Bank in Cary Illinois

Riverbend Foodbank in Moline Illinois

Rescue/No-Kill Shelters in Southern Illinois

List Of No-Kill Shelters

Humane Society of Southern Illinois

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My Inspiration for Giving:

In case you ever wondered what inspires me to give…I had the privilege of writing this Guest Post for Passionate Penny Pincher

By the time I was in 8th grade my parents were divorced, my Mom was in treatment for breast cancer, and she was alone with three daughters to take care of. My Mom recovered after a year, and went to work at a hotel barely making ends meet. Thankfully my Mom was smart with the money we had and trusted in God to do the rest. We didn’t have a lot but we were taken care of and loved. Over the next few years there were a few different times that people helped us out. Some food and small gifts at Christmas time and our house was painted once by volunteers, but the thing that stuck with me the most happened my Senior year of high school.

Our house burned down to the ground! Thankfully we had insurance and we were able to stay at my Grandparents until we got a new home. The people in our small town started showing up at my Grandparent’s house with so much stuff. Clothes, makeup, curling irons and so much more. All the things that 3 teenage girls would need to get ready for school. Our little town showed their love and compassion for us and still to this day I am overwhelmed when I think of it.

I know first hand what it is like to be on the receiving end of help. I know how it feels as a child when someone you don’t know does something wonderful for you. It makes you feel special and those little things mean so much more than you can imagine. I know how deeply I can touch someone else’s life just by putting forth a little time and effort to give.

We survived those few years and today I am better for it. Because of those years I know why I am needed, I know that I can help, I know that it is very important for me to give and I know that God can use me.

Stories from Bloggers and Readers about their giving experiences!

Andrea at the Q-Tipping Mom

April’s Story

Bethany at the Big Red Pot

Cheryl at Simply CVS

Heather’s Story

Heather at the Couponing Princess

Heather at Spectacular Savings

Katie at Life, Love and Frugality Pt. 1 and Pt. 2

Laurie at Passionate Penny Pincher