It’s extreme couponing, of sorts, for a good cause.
As its annual spring food drive draws to a close Monday, the food bank was getting some help from the group, Coupons for Hunger.
Coupons for Hunger made its first donation to the food bank last year and raised $10,000.
They doubled that amount this year, with help from a lot of volunteers.
“We have people in the city of London donate their unwanted coupons. Then we have volunteers that cut them out for us. We have coupon-a-thons where we get together and sort them and clip them. Then we wait for sales and shop for free stuff,” says Coupons for Hunger’s Colleen Lindemann.
Food bank director Jane Roy says the amount donated by the group is amazing and members are also teaching others their skill.
“One of the things we enjoy about their passion is they are starting to teach other people how to do that as well - to price match to use coupons and to help their own families as well, so that has a great future,” Roy says.
Donation totals for this year’s spring drive are expected to reach 85,000 pounds, which was the amount donated last year.
The need is even greater this year.
“We've gone up about four per cent over the same period last year,” Roy says.
About 3,200 families need assistance each month.
