"Fill The Food Pantry" Shaw's CAT - Summary

Why Did I Do this Food Pantry Project?
For those of you who are just popping on to this post, I spent the last week shopping at Shaw's like a mad lady, stocking up not only on groceries for us, but also to see how much I can score for my local food pantry for dirt cheap.  Here's how I did:

1.  I did just read in the paper that the MA unemployment rate is up to something crazy like 9.3% or 9.7%.  That's a lot of people.  Sometimes people think that recipients of food pantries are "junkies" or people who "should just up and get a job."  I like to think that most people who are recipients of the food pantry are good people who have just had some rough times lately.  With almost 10% of the population unemployed, how can it not be?

2.  I actually read through my food pantry's website.  I didn't know this, but you have to go to great lengths to actually get food.  You have to fill out an application, show proof of low-income, etc. etc.  I think if people are actually going through this hard work to get food, they really are hungry and need it.

3. 1/3 of all food bank receipients are children.  No matter what your views are of people who get food from a food pantry are (because let's face, some people aren't a fan of handouts - you know, the whole "you have to work hard" mentality), children really don't get asked to be poor (nor do most adults, but some adults make stupid decisions).  If my husband and I were ever in a position where we couldn't provide basics for our children, we would be extremely greatful for those who reached out to help our children.

Total Spent On Groceries Since Last Friday:

Shaw's:  $61.29
Walmart (kitty supplies):  $22.78
Tedeschi's (milk):  $6.87
Farmer's Market (bag of apples):  $6

Total This Week:  $96.94
OYNP Coupons in my Wallet:  $18.00
Net:  $78.94

Shaw's Analysis:
PSP:  $518.92
Cash OOP:  $61.29
OYNP Banked:  $18.00
Net:  $43.29
Savings of 88.1% OOP.  Savings of 91.6% with Net. 

Total Spent on Non-Cat Groceries:  $31.02 (Half & Half, eggs, bread, meat, etc.)
Total Spent on all CAT deals:  $30.27 (cereal, soup, Pillsbury products, etc.)

This includes my donation to the food pantry (which cost me a whopping $6.75):

Shelf Price = $260.17
8 Totals @ $5.29 ea = $42.32
2 Cascadia Farms cereal @ $4.99 ea = $9.98
11 Fiber One Cereals @ $4.29 ea = $47.19
3 Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereals @ $3.49 ea = $10.47
10 Progresso Soups @ $2.50 ea = $25.00
8 Progresso Broths @ $2.69 ea = $21.52
11 Nature Valley Bars @ $3.50 ea =  $38.50
6 Warm Delights @ $2.50 ea = $15.00
4 Cookie Mixes @ $2.39 ea = $9.56
11 Chex Mixes @ $2.69 ea = $29.59
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes @ $1.89 ea = $5.67
3 Knorr Sides @ $1.79 ea =  $5.37

The $30.27 also includes my outrageous stockpile of Pillsbury dough, pie crusts, cookie dough, frozen vegetables, & yogurts.  I also traded 3 Betty Crocker potatoes for 3 Knorr sides. I kept 2 boxes of cereal for us as well as 2 cans of soup. I also had gotten fruit snacks in this deal! 

So how much did it cost me? 

All my CAT stuff had a PSP of about $470.  $260 (55%) of that is stuff I'm donating. I spent $30.27 on stuff that should have cost me $470.  I have $18 in OYNP coupons in my wallet which will be spent on food for my own family this coming week.  So I netted $12.27 for all this stuff.  55% of $12.27 is $6.75.  And that my friends is how much is it cost me to buy all these groceries for the food pantry.