Charity doesn’t have to cost a lot. The holidays are a season of celebration and generosity, and many people feel inspired to give to the poor and help those less fortunate than themselves. However, these difficult economic times have many families finding their bills more difficult to pay each month and nothing left over to give to others. Although you can always give of your time and expertise without spending any money, it is also possible to give generous material gifts without spending a lot of money.
One of my favorite charities to support each year is Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse where participants fill shoe boxes with items for children in desperate situations around the world. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been delivered around the world, bringing smiles to children who need a reason to smile.
My family usually fills two shoe boxes, one for a boy and one for a girl. In past years, we have spent approximately $15 per box on toiletry items, art supplies and small toys. This year by using the same techniques that have helped us reduce our monthly grocery bill—creative couponing, stockpiling, hitting the sales and purchasing clearance items—we were able to fill two Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes less than $6 total.
Here’s the breakdown:
Box #1, Boy, Age 5-9
*10 pack pencils $0.10
purchased at Walgreens during the back to school sale
*24 pack crayons $0.25
purchased at WalMart during the back to school sale
*20 piece sidewalk chalk $0.25
purchased new in package at a yard sale
*2 pairs flip flops $1.00
purchased at CVS during the summer clearance sale
*1 mini notebook $0.05
purchased at CVS during the back to school clearance sale
*1 mini folding ruler $0.05
purchased at CVS during the back to school clearance sale
*1 jump rope $0.50
purchased new in package at a yard sale
*1 plastic truck $0.50
purchased at Target during the end of summer toy clearance sale
*1 tube of toothpaste
free from CVS after ECBs
*1 toothbrush
free August gift from CVS
*1 Johnson’s Buddies soap
free from Target after coupon
*4 small bags of Skittles $0.20
purchased at CVS
Box #2, Girl, Age 10-14
*12 pack pens $0.10
purchased at Walgreen’s during the back to school sale
*10 pack pencils $0.10
purchased at Walgreen’s during the back to school sale
*12 pack color pencils $0.10
purchased at WalMart during the back to school sale
*3 pack butterfly pencils $0.25
purchased new in package at a yard sale
*1 pencil case $0.50
purchased at WalMart during the back to school clearance sale
*4 pack mini dry erase markers $0.10
purchased new in package at a yard sale
*1 jump rope $1.00
purchased at Target during the end of summer toy clearance sale
*1 mini notepad $0.05
purchased at CVS during the back to school clearance sale
*1 wind-up chicken and bubblegum toy $0.25
purchased new at a yard sale and my favorite item in the whole box–it lays bubblegum eggs
*2 pack toothbrushes
free from CVS after EBSs
*2 tubes toothpaste
free from CVS after ECBs
*1 bar CVS soap
free from CVS after ECBs
*1 small beanbag rabbit
free from our family gift box
*1 funlight
free from CVS after ECBs
*4 small bags of Skittles $0.20
purchased at CVS
Total cost for Box #2: $2.65
You can see that with a little planning ahead we were able to fill two shoe boxes to the brim very inexpensively. Next year, we plan to donate several more boxes. We also hope our daughter will be old enough to participate in choosing the gifts and packing the boxes. In addition to the gifts listed above, we also include a handwritten note, a photo of our family and a check to cover shipping for each box.
Please see the Samaritan’s Purse website for more details about Operation Christmas Child and for information about how you can get involved. Collection week is November 17-24 so there is still plenty of time to participate. In fact, there’s enough time left my family should be able to pull together another couple of boxes this year.
