This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Volunteers Use Coupons to Stock Pantry at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church

Dacula residents have lots of opportunities to serve their community. Check here each week for a new opportunity in or near our hometown.

A small group of volunteers led by Erin Clary of are making a big difference for the by simply collecting coupons. It all started when they received a large donation of small cereal samples after an Old Navy promotion with Post cereal. These volunteers realized that on the back of each cereal box there was a high value coupon that didn’t expire until March and April of 2012. These individuals clipped the coupons and saved them to use when cereal went on sale at a local grocery store. Meanwhile the Pantry distributed the sample size bags of cereal to patrons of the Pantry.

Amazingly, the group collected 5,424 total coupons -- 1,538 for Great Grains and 3,886 for Honey Bunches of Oats. Just last week Honey Bunches of Oats were place on sale and the group contacted several local Publix stores. The in Dacula stepped up to the plate and agreed to help. The store initially reported that they were limited to ordering a ten case special order which would be 120 boxes of cereal. On Tuesday evening the grocery manager from the Publix location made a phone call to the group and reported he had worked with Publix and was able to place an order for 60 cases, 10 cases each for the six flavors available, which totaled 720 boxes of cereal. Upon pick-up Publix offered another eight cases available for purchase.

The final count of cereal boxes that were purchased and donated was 816 boxes costing $311.71 with coupons (including $24.11 in taxes). This purchase, if paid at full price, would have cost $2,663.42.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In order to keep the Pantry stocked at an affordable rate, the group is asking church and community members to donate any available coupons to help stock the Pantry. Since the month of January, $469.05 has been spent out of pocket for approximately $4,238.57 worth of food and personal items. If you can help, please consider donating any unused coupons to the Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church Pantry.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?