It’s the little things…

We want to give a special thanks to the managers and residents at the Riverwalk Apartments in downtown Little Rock. They organized a cereal drive to benefit the Foodbank Network and it was an overwhelming success!

All it took to make a huge difference in some hungry peoples’  lives was this simple Facebook post:

And that post generated ALL this cereal:

This is a perfect example of how social networking can be utilized to mobilize the masses of people out there who are eager to help out, but may need a quick reminder! Thanks again to the Riverwalk Apartment Complex for their generous donation.

SNAP CHALLENGE- My journey

So… tomorrow is  the last day of my suffering. I bought a giant box of Smacks. For $1.19. I grabbed some nearly expired milk with a manager’s price cut for $1.00 and some pop tarts for $1.07. The good deals I got for the cereal and pop-tarts was inspired by one of our bloggers and TLC’s new show, “Extreme Couponing.” Coupons saved me from going over my limit.

Still… I’m suffering.  I’m not eating healthy. I’m eating sugar. I’ve eaten 4 bowls of this crap today. I’m running low on puffy sugary goodness. Plus I keep sharing because that’s the American way.

Going to a restaurant and using a coupon to pay for your significant other’s meal is also the American way. Take a look at this American mom, clipping and saving big bucks on food, if only I had enough strength to clip away like her. Unfortunately,  my sugar high has made me crash. Click on the link below to watch how you can save too.

Two opportunities to donate food this weekend

Prepare your body for cheese dip overload. The 2nd Annual World Cheese Dip Championship will be held this Saturday, September 24th from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Arkansas Foodbank Network has teamed up with event organizers to organize a canned food drive at the festival. We look forward to spending a beautiful fall afternoon munching world-class cheese dip and working to eliminate hunger in Arkansas at the same time.

 

One more opportunity for you to donate this Saturday, September 24th is the Volunteer Workday at the Central High National Historic Site Museum. Take some time to come out and learn about the history of desegregation in Little Rock and support the Arkansas Foodbank and hungry Arkansas kids at the same time!

 

Here’s a list of what items the Foodbank is in need of:

• Canned meats/fish/poultry
• Canned/Packaged Meals
• Peanut Butter
• Cereal
• Soups
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned Fruits
• 100% Juices
• Pasta and Pasta Sauces
• Diapers

All donations should be non-perishable, and nothing should be in glass containers.
Unfortunately the Health Department does not allow us to accept homemade items.

Money-saving tips for the grocery store

Many of us just shop for the groceries we need, not really thinking about how prices have gone up on produce and dairy products.  When living on a budget, price-awareness is an option.  Here are some ways to help trim the fat off your next grocery bill:

• Shop Store Brands.  Store brands have become popular over the past year.  Sometimes, shoppers save as much as half on a purchase just by choosing the store brands.  Shop around for the best deals.  Give them a try.  Some store brands are just as good as, or better than, the popular brands.
• Scour the Sales Papers.  Sales papers come out every week.  Whether you get them in the newspaper or at the entrance of the store, don’t pass them by.  Often, stores offer 10 items for $10.  If it’s an item you use a lot of, this can be a real deal.
• Shop around.  Generally, grocery stores will have similar sales, but not always.  Keep an eye on various stores—especially for more expensive items, like meat.
• Store Loyalty Cards.  Most stores offer specials and extra discounts to loyal customers.  It’s free to sign up and the rewards begin immediately.  Some stores also have their own smart phone apps that allow you to upload digital coupons directly to their loyalty card.
• Coupons, coupons, coupons.  Cut them, upload them, print them.  Coupon savings are in addition to any loyalty-customer savings you may receive.  Additionally, most grocery stores offer deals with coupons, to include doubling and tripling the values during certain days and times, or for coupons under a certain savings.  Check your favorite store online to see how it contributes with couponing.

Can you think of any other money-saving tips?  Have you seen the benefits of using any, or all, of these?  Share your tips and stories with us.  We’d love to hear them!

Budget Breakfast Comfort Foods

A warm breakfast brings comfort to the cool morning temperatures. Old-fashioned oatmeal will hit the spot, stay with you through your morning and costs about $.45 per ½ cup serving. Add a ¼ cup serving of raisins for just $.40 more. Add a 6 oz. cup of coffee for $.03. Total cost for breakfast: $.88. Just enough left over for a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of milk for your coffee.

(Costs based on average prices for: 18 oz canister Quaker Raw Oats; 15 oz canister Sun-Maid California Raisins; 34.5 oz canister Folgers coffee grounds.)

Another morning favorite: ham and eggs. Two eggs ($.16), three pieces of thin-sliced honey ham warmed up in the skillet ($.44), a piece of toast ($.10) and glass of orange juice ($.38) add up to $1.08. (Costs based on 1-dozen eggs on sale for $1/dozen; 9 oz Hillshire Farms Honey Ham, thin-sliced; 20 oz loaf Wonder Bread; 64 oz Minute Maid orange juice)

What: Pampered Chef Party

When: Tuesday, September 20, 5-7pm

Where: Arkansas Foodbank Warehouse, 4301 65th Street, Little Rock, AR

Come join us Tuesday night for a Pampered Chef Party! Whether you’re in the market for a pizza stone, want to check out the new Fall Products (there are over 50!), or learn what retired Pampered Chef favorites are now on clearance, the Arkansas Foodbank Warehouse is where you want to be.

The consultant will also have some recipes on hand and product demonstrations.

You can take a look at the products online, www.pamperedchef.com, and come armed with a shopping list. You can also learn how to stretch your grocery dollars with a segment on preparing meals for around $2 per serving.

Best part about making your purchase at the party? 15% of your purchase will benefit hungry people in Arkansas.

I know the rice steamer is one of my favorite Pampered Chef products, and, of course, the pizza stones! What’s your favorite Pampered Chef product?

Food Stamped documentary screening

What: Food Stamped documentary
When: Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.
Where: Heifer Village

The Arkansas Foodbank and Heifer Village have teamed up to screen the documentary Food Stamped, which documents a couple’s futile attempts to eat healthily on food stamps.

From the film’s website:

“Food Stamped is an informative and humorous documentary film following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Through their adventures they consult with members of U.S. Congress, food justice organizations, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America’s broken food system.”

View the Food Stamped trailer below.

The Arkansas Foodbank encourages everyone to come watch the documentary and participate in a discussion that will follow the film.

UALR’s Community Service Fair

AR Food Bank was at the UALR Community Service Fair. Many students eager to learn and help others filled the room. Arkansas Food Bank Outreach coordinator Kathy Kaiger was there spoke about the need for others to volunteer. The passion to help others in need is growing. This year’s service fair brought more organizations than before and being there, watching students gather around tables and sign up for volunteer hours was inspiring, and a big motivator to promote change and growth in our community.

Check out the video link below to see the KHTV broadcast of the service fair at UALR