DONATION PROJECT 2011 - What can you get for $11 a week?

[Patty Smyth]

Donation Project 2011 - Over and Out!

My final donation of the year is one of a different kind. My son goes to a small middle school of about 50 students and staff. Yesterday we did a xmas lunch for them. With the combination of coupons donations and discounts from friends and suppliers. I managed to do a lunch which included soda, bottled water, cesar salad, pasta and meatballs, rolls, fruit salad, cookies, cheese platter, coffee, tea and all the plastic cutlery, Christmas table clothes and glasses for $122. For privacy reasons I cannot post pics. of the kids at lunch but most seemed to enjoy it and there were few leftovers. We even managed to feed a few of the kids from the other school which shares the building. lol

Here are pics. of some of the platters I brought. I also have to say I have some of the best friends and suppliers and of course my DH who goes along with every crazy idea I have had in the past 21 years and could do nothing without his support. My butcher at L'Entrepot de Viandes gave me a great price on the beautiful lean beef for the meatballs, I have a friend who has a restaurant called La Flamberge and he donated his amazing ceasar salad dressing and 5 dozen rolls and he also came to the school for 3 hours and helped cook!!!! We had real production line going and everyone was served in 15 minutes. It pays to know people, lol.

I feel like this year just flew by so fast I cannot even remember the first week or how I even decided to take on this crazy project. Thanks everyone for following this thread and all the encouraging words.

I will leave you with this final thought which I posted on my Facebook page after I came home yesterday from the luncheon.

"Today I was humbled by those that have nothing but the smile on their face"

[itsjustmebub]

looks delicious patty ... besides wanting those meatballs what a great idea to end off the year

[MrsSunshine]

YUMMY be they loved you for sure.. you are a true angel for what you did this year!!

[2010ontest]

Wow! Congrats Patty!

You are really an inspiration for everybody here. Since I'm on that board I have see many thing, many donation and I give more than before.

Like you said, coupon help, but connection and support help alot too!

[hollyquaiscer]

What a fabulous ending to your journey this year. You have done so many great things throught this year, I applaud you. You are an amazing person. CONGRATS!

[ashokia]

What a wonderful end to an amazing year of giving back. I can't wait until next year to see what else you come up with!

[Appleby]

well done you will be repayed many times over for what you have done this year......

[Appleby]

what were your final figures of what you spent and what you saved?

[Patty Smyth]

what were your final figures of what you spent and what you saved?

Let me get back to you on that one lol.

[Shwa Girl]

Amazing pics of the lunch. I bet the kids were very happy. I loved the fruit salad platter.
WTG!

[Jody22002]

You are amazing, Patty. It all looks delicious!

[abouret]

Wow! What a year! That project was really an inspiration for a lot of people including myself. I understand that it's done and over but still, I'm pretty sad to say goodbye to it.

Congrats to you and all your family for all the efforts put in the project!

Patty, you are simply a great woman!

Happy Holidays!

[Giving-Small]

What a wonderful way to end and I love the fact that you had friends and family to support/help - the food looks amazing.

Patty you're a special person and make me think of this:
"Some bring joy wherever they go"

[Kitty77]

Awesome!!

[Poonet]

congratz Patty!! You are awesome!