Sharing the "wealth"

[ward.mama]

My sister was down for the weekend and when he came over yesterday she told me that her and boyfriend have been "shopping" at the food bank again. I asked why she had not told my mom and I before she got here. She said she not wanting to say anything, which to me is silly. If you can't tell family...

Last time she came up from Windsor area we knew, and my mom and I went shopping together and bought her boxes of food and supplies. She was floored.

Since we were not prepared this time, and she told ME, I took her downstairs to my "store" (the kids lovingly call my cold cellar and laundry room this lol)

So, I sent her home with (though I would have given her more, she refused):

2x Old spice body wash
3x toothpaste (some for her, some for kids)
1x kids oral rinse (you know the one that checks their brushing)
1x conditioner (no need for shampoo she tells me)
1x womans deoderant
1x large Palmolive dish soap
3x A&H detergent
2x toothbrushes (for each of the kids)
4x pasta sauce
3x pasta (reg and egg yolk)
1x pop tarts
3x squish'ems
2x rice krispie squares
2x taco kits
3x chef boy r dee and zoodles
1x bbq sauce
1x womans razor
1x mens razor (gotta love those sample from P&G!)
1x frozen strawberries
frozen egg beaters
perogies, about 3 dozen homemade by a friend
2x Goldfish crackers

and a bunch more stuff for food that I cannot recall off the top of my head. Her boyfriend was wondering what was going on - she said he was just being proud. I told her not think anything of it. We are upon hard times in our own home (my DH has been laid off since May 2009 and I've been on mat leave since Aug 2009), but thanks to SmartCanucks I have been able to save tonnes of $$$ using sales/coupons and stock up on the staples we use in our home...and help family and not be affected by helping her out. I called my mom straight away (as I knew they were stopping by her work so she could hug the boys) and told her, so I am sure my mom gave them some cash too. I would have given them more out of the freezer, but they didn't have a cooler Oh well, there is always next time...

Thanks every one of you for being so great!!

Steph
Wife to an awesome man
Mommy to 3 beautiful girls
Auntie to 2 handsome boys + another 4 handsome boys + 2 gorgeous girls...love them like they are my own and would do anything for them.

[WandaM]

That is what family is for...to help out when times are rough.

[Mamaelmo]

that is really nice of you i have done the same thing for my sister one year, I went out and spent a little over a $100 on her kids for x-mas and she was amazed and what I found on sale and clearance prices for 3 kids, they each had about 15 things each plus some stuff for her and her hubby too.

[misslollieputty]

That's a great thing you did! (my job got outsourced at the end of March - have to wait 17 weeks for my 'severance to be used' before I get EI). I've been penny pinching and stocking up on deals since I found out in October! LOL

[Tuktu60]

That's very sweet of you to share with family. I'm sure your sister would do the same for you if the roles were reversed. She is probably thanking her lucky stars you are in her life right now and feels blessed!

[Natalka]

It was very nice of you to do this. I do, however, understand where your sister was coming from - no one in our family knows we used the food bank in the past. One sister of mine, though, knew things were really rough at one point - and one day she came over with bags and bags of groceries - and I just cried and cried!

[tmiller2]

Wow, i wish my family was as generous.
Whenever i go back home my mum hides the food cause she knows i've come to raid the kitchen.
what can i say, i'm a bachelor, :D

[coupon girl]

wow that is so kind of you to help family - i would do the same . Your right s.c is great it helps us get great deals with all our coupons- i am living with less income,my dh and i , plus my 88 year old mother loves with us- i tell her never to buy andy health and beauty items , when i can get them next to nothing. Again you are one nice person and we should remember family always comes first. I just helped my daughter out to this past weekend, she lives out of town and works hard , so i took her toilet paper, cleaning stuff gotta be there for family- i gave birth to 2 wonderfull adults and it doesnt stop at age 18 or when they leave home in my eyes anyways. Take care.

[carlyincanada]

WTG! on helping out your sister & family! SC is a lifesaver & thanks to all for sharing deals, trades/coupons etc! I have helped out my sister too & now she is "into" couponing, haha & help my 23yrs old DS who lives on his own...every bit helps out for sure! BF has been laid off since Oct 2009 & I'm on disability but we have lots of food & freezer is full! This would not be possible without SC!
So a big thanks to everyone too!

[amandamck]

I got a little teary eyed reading your post. My husband's territory is in Windsor and they have been very hard hit during the recession. So many for sale signs and no one is buying them. Sooo nice of you to help your sister and sooo great to walk downstairs to do it. What a great sister and Auntie!!

[save-a-lot]

How great that you had a "store" and were able to share even though you are yourself going through hard times. Thumbs up

[CrazyQT]

Nothing is more gratifying than being able to help someone out. I love this post. WTG!

[shaaland]

Fantastic for you to do this. I'd like to think that it is in all of us to give, even if it isn't our own family. Erilou is one of the most generous people here on SC and I believe she inspires most of us to do the right thing most of the time. My hubby also got laid off this year. I work part time and recently started a full time job as well. I am sooo happy for SC. It has helped us out a great deal over the last year and I am very greatful for what we have. TY SC!!

[screamy]

WTG, OP!

[avoncallingu]

Ward.mama - it's wonderful that you could be there for your sister when she needed some help. I had to also smile at coupon girl's post - she made a typo but I think a very significant one that describes all the families here - she said her 88 year old mother "loves" with her. What a lovely way to think of our families - all "loving" together!

It seems like the sea of life leads us to be "up" sometimes when those we love are "down." It's great that we can reach out and help when we can!