OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 6/30/2018 ~ Aunts

 We didn't get any shopping done in the past week, but that doesn't mean our stockpile didn't grow!  Thanks to my aunts, it actually grew quite a bit! :)  First, the aunt who packs with us came for a visit with a stash she'd built up of packing items.

Then I got a box from my other aunt who had called when she found a deal on flip-flops to see if/what kind/how many we needed.  She and my great aunt cut off all the extra packaging, and got them all ready for us to pack!

Finally, I asked a friend if she had any leftover bags from the VBS she was running if I could have them for shoeboxes-she brought me the few that were left.  Then she asked if I had any use for lanyards as they had more of those left.  I said I sure could use them-I have whistles to hang on them if nothing else!  Such colorful and practical items!

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $0

OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 6/16/2018 ~ Tools

We had a really good week for tools/practical items for our 10-14 boy boxes.  First, we had a gift card for Harbor Freight for shoeboxes, so my Dad and I went to check out what they had he wanted for the 10-14 boy boxes he packs.  Thanks to a lot of ideas shared on the Simply Shoeboxes Facebook Page, we had a lot of ideas what to look for!  We planned to pick up a lot of stuff and both check out with 20% off & free item coupons, plus make a plan for what to pick up with future coupons.  We were able to get what we wanted to pick up right away, and leave a good amount left to pick up in the weeks/months ahead as we get coupons.  So much fun stuff:

We like to send work gloves in all our older boxes, and my dad was really excited about the leather ones.  Also some tools-we went with screwdrivers and pliers as they're more universal than say wrenches in metric or standard, and Dad wasn't too thrilled with the hammers.  We got one tool box to pack as a shoebox.  Also some really nice tool bags that we think we'll be able to fit creatively in reasonable sized shoeboxes.  Plus some wooden 3D puzzles-these are really great as 10-14 boy toys were on my "still needed" list and that checked them off, and I wasn't planning on being able to use the gift card value toward that!!

My sister and I ran buy today when out running errands, and what we were planning to buy was only $0.99 this week-and the 20 % off worked on it, so we spent less than $2 from the gift card on all of this.

Then, we stopped at Mighty Dollar, and were able to find some nice, 80# test weight para-cord to send in boxes or as drawstring for our pencil bags. 

I think we're going to have some great 10-14 boy boxes with these practical items, plus the normal, game, toys, stuffed animal, ball, clothing item(s), hygiene, school and art supplies!  I'm really enjoying adding tools to the boxes-probably kind of a replacement for the space candy used to take.  Here's a tool themed box I packed last year.


Spent from shoebox packing budget: $8.54 

Spent from free gift cards: $121.27  

Saved thru Harbor Freight Coupons:  $13.96
Saved by Mighty Dollar Prices over Original: $40

Stories and Advice from Shoebox Distributions in Malawi

On this blog I mostly write about packing, shopping, crafting, etc. for shoeboxes, but I thought it'd be encouraging to share some distribution stories, plus I love to get more ideas and feedback on things to include from first hand reports.  Since I've never been on a distribution, I send questions to those who have.

My name is Debbie Pottorff and I’m the Church Relations Coordinator for the Big Bend / Tallahassee Area (Florida / P.R. Region) My husband, John, and I have been married for decades now and have 5 grown children (complete with grandchildren, children-in-laws, and “bonus” grandchildren).  We’re still both working full time but since the kids are gone (out of the house) our lives would seem a bit empty without our shoebox kids.  John is the leader of the Main Drop-Off location in our Area and since our Area Team is relatively small, we try to help out our Area Coordinators in other roles, as best we can.  We truly believe in the OCC mission, the Great Commission and Matthew 1:8  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  For us, this is the way to live!   Our Area Team has a facebook page:  OCC Tallahassee/Big Bend FL that we'd love to have anyone to "like" and follow and we have a monthly email newletter that can be accessed throught the fb page.

>>When & where did you distribute shoeboxes? 
I was invited to go on a Harvest Vision Trip to Malawi in May of 2018 and I definitely

Expired: Bar Soap Deal on Dial..could be great for shoeboxes

UPDATE:  These coupons are no longer available, but may be available again soon, I'll try to kee  you up to date!

OCC Shoebox Stockpile Saturday ~ 6/9/2018 ~ Fun Finds

I got some fun things for shoeboxes this week!

At Mighty Dollar I got a few more scissors, plus a super cute set of water colors.  A couple pencil cases for Pencil Granny & Friends project, and a super cute padded box I'm planning to make into a sewing kit - I think she'll also be able to use it as a pin cushion. 

I also ordered from Raymond Geddes.   I saw a free shipping code on Pencil Granny & Friends, so thought I'd try it out.

Here's an up-close of what I got some watercolors on sale.  Also mechanical pencil leads-I was really fascinated by the colored pencil lead-I think that will be so fun to include this year! 

My sister crocheted 3 Aunt Ida hats.

Spent from shoebox packing budget: $30.25 

Saved $25 on sales/discount stores + free shipping.

Have you tried Swagbucking for Shoeboxes yet?

Links to Swagbucks in this post are my referral links. I also earned SB for sharing this promotion.

I like to share about Swagbuks from time to time on this blog as we've found it a good way to make a little extra money, and others have been able to get money for shoeboxes through it, as well.  All through June you can earn large bonuses when sign up as my referral on Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching the web, watching videos, shopping, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, or PayPal cash.

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a 300 SB bonus! Here's how:

1. Sign up using this link

2. Earn 300 SB total before July 1st, 2018. You'll get a 300 SB bonus for it! (& you'll have more than enough for a $5 gift card!)

Disclosure:  Links to Swagbucks in this post are my referral links.  Thank you for using my links it helps me earn extra SB.  I also earned SB for sharing this promotion.