When you flip through advertisements offered by nearby grocery stores, chances are you don’t contemplate how pinching pennies could help the local homeless population. Yet, that’s exactly what extreme couponer Lauren Puryear has gotten in the habit of doing.
The 29-year-old of Woodbridge, Virginia, clips coupons to feed thousands of people in need. To date, she’s fed over 5,000 people by taking advantage of sales. And, by her 30th birthday – which takes place on September 14, 2017, she hopes to feed 30,000.
“It’s probably the most exhilarating thing I could ever do in life,” she says.
Puryear told news outlet NJ.com that she is able to feed 150 people for as little as $20 when she clips coupons, depending on the items. She does this despite holding down a day job working with adults who have mental health issues.
Every week, she spends 5-10 hours looking for coupons, relays ABC News. Then, she recruits family members and friends to make trips to the store with her. She couldn’t feed as many people without the assistance of those who tag along because stores usually have limits on how much one can purchase using coupons. She says:
“Some stores have limits on how much you can buy, so sometimes I have to get my friends to come with me to buy it and bring their cars so we can transport it.”
The inspiring activist became passionate about taking advantage of deals to feed the hungry in 2012, shortly after her grandmother passed away. To honor her grandmother’s seemingly endless generosity, Puryear founded the organization For The Love of Others.
Explaining the process which requires approximately 5-10 hours a week, Lauren says:
“I first research locations where there is a homeless population and then look at the laws to make sure I’m able to serve in public. And then I just go to the area and let people know I’m there.”
Not only is Puryear an excellent role model for most adults hoping to positively impact the world, she’s one heck of an inspiration to her five-year-old son. She says it’s important to teach him the importance of compassion.
“It is very important to teach him to help other people,” Puryear told the press. “The little things we take for granted, the food we throw away every day … and if we just spread a little more love around, the world would be such a better place.”
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
This article (This Activist Clips Coupons To Feed The Homeless And Will Assist 30,000 By Her 30th Birthday) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com
