Hello Everyone!

I want your coupons! Let me explain. The economy has hit us all hard and as  a result I personally have been looking for ways to cut expenses. Back many years ago I was a coupon queen! Yeah..yeah…laugh! Remember…single mom with 3 kids!

It gave me an idea to help others……I thought how nice it would be if I could coupon shop and gather enough food and household items to give  away to families in need!  Blessing can give directly to families who apply for help on our site OR we can give to our local food pantries! Either way, your donations of coupons will go to help families in need!

I want your coupons!  Any coupons you get every week. They can come from Sunday paper circulars, mail coupons, check out coupons, coupons you get off of items when you by them, coupons you get any way you get them! When you stop and think about it…we come across coupons quite often in our daily life! They can be for food or really ANY item! Do not scrutinize whether we can use it….just send it!   EVEN EXPIRED COUPONS!

I will take any coupons! If we can’t use them or if they are expired I can send them to the Military Troops. Military can use expired coupons for another year!! So one way or another your coupons will go to good use!!

If you are willing to send me your coupons (if you are local I can pick up whenever you have them.)  Send the envelopes with coupons to the Foundations  address and clearly mark on the envelope that it is for Blessing In Giving! Address the envelope to the Foundation, but put ATTENTION- BLESSING IN GIVING in large letters so that we get the coupons!

Foundation Address

Hendricks County Community Foundation

5055 E Main ST. Suite A

Avon, Indiana 46123   ATTN- BLESSING IN GIVING

I am so grateful that you have read this far! If you can help AWESOME!! If you can’t please accept my gratitude for your willingness to read this email! As always I covet your  prayers for Blessing In Giving! The prayers are the most important part of the giving!! Thank you all!

Have a great day!!

Peace and Love!!

Christine Martin

Blessing In Giving

Being a single parent had its trials, but none are harder to face than the financial burden of raising a child or several children on your own. Automatically, you go from having ample funds to trying to get by on an amount that is drastically cut in half. With the average yearly payment of child support barely rising above $4,500, it is easy to see why so many single parents struggle even with full time jobs.

Fortunately, there are programs that are available in order to offer financial assistance for single parents. These programs are need based, and offer varying degrees of support according to the specific needs of each family. While they can often be time consuming to apply for, the help and assistance that they offer are more than worth it.

Monetary Government Financial Assistance

There are many government programs available to offer financial assistance for single parents. These programs are always Need and Income based, and each family may qualify for a different level of assistance.

The first program that provides for a family’s essential needs is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or TANF. This is a nationwide program offered under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, and is only offered for a limited period of time. This program offers both food assistance (in the form of an EBT card which is automatically loaded with funds each month) and cash assistance plan, that offers a small amount of money for essentials which is added to the same card. In addition, if a family qualifies for cash assistance in certain states they are also entitled to other benefits as well. Including free childcare, gas cards or bus tickets, and clothing vouchers for work purposes.

The US Department of Health and Human Services also offers a wide variety of programs which can offer financial assistance to single parents. These include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers assistance in lowering or helping to pay your monthly utilities. The Insure Kids Now – program, which holds a different name in each state. offers free or low cost health insurance for all children.

For housing assistance, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development offers programs to assist low income individuals in gaining accommodations. The HUD and Section 8 programs can provide free and low cost accommodations for families that qualify. Often the waiting list is long for these programs however, so it is best to apply as early as possible.

Local Sources of Financial Assistance

In addition to the federal funded programs that offer assistance, there are also a number of local agencies (in each city and state) which provide financial assistance for single parents. By dialing 2-1-1 from any touch tone phone, you can be placed in contact with an operator who can inform you about any resources that are available in your area. This is the easiest and quickest way to find the assistance you need.

Food banks are especially helpful for those who find themselves in dire need of food. If you are waiting for government assistance to begin, or need a little help from month to month, a local food bank can help you stock your pantry until help arrives.

If you are a single parent who has been battered or abused, there are additional sources of housing and financial assistance. Battered women shelters are scattered throughout each state, and almost every city has one. They can offer supplies, housing, and help in finding a new job in order to get you back on your feet. The YMCA also offers short term housing to those who are escaping a bad relationship.