Never Turn Away An Open Hand With Blessing Bags- Day Of Giving, November 28th

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #99YourThanksgiving #DoingThe99 #CollectiveBias

November is a month marked by thanks.

There's an entire holiday centered around the concept of being thankful for that which one has and has been given. However, as the end of the month also marks an entire week dedicated to spending with the intent of giving in the following month, December, the very spirit of giving can actually get quite lost. The slurry of door buster sales and elaborate wish lists can easily make a season of giving feel more like a chore.

It's this season which reminds me most of my mother's mother; a woman who would quite literally give you the necklace off her neck if you complimented her on it. A woman who opened her home to not only her employees and their families when in need, but even strangers on cold holiday nights. She taught me that the clearest way to show appreciation for what one has been given is through sharing it.

As we look forward to the annual Day of Giving on November 28th, the day following Cyber Monday, I find myself heading to my local 99 Cents Only Stores in hopes of stretching that giving spirit jut a little further through incredible savings on a variety of everyday essentials.

A few years back my, then 9 year-old, niece and I were driving around our home town and we passed a man in a frumpy coat with an equally frumpy Labrador retriever and a cardboard sign beside him on a street corner. As I so often did when I had cash on hand I reached into my purse and pulled out a crumpled bill, rolled down the window, and called the gentleman over to hand it to him. An hour later, on a different errand we passed a second out-stretched hand and this time I had only 2 dollars in my pocketbook to spare. As we pulled away my very astute niece had a contemplative look on her face.

"I wish we could do more the just give them (those in need) a few dollars. Sure, they can buy a burger or a drink, but what happens when they are cold or hungry tomorrow?" she explained.

I thought on this for a few minutes before turning the car around and heading back into the shopping plaza. Sabrina was perplexed, and asked if we'd forgotten something on our shopping list. I shook my head no and explained, as we walked through the automatic doors of our local 99, that we were going to do more than give what we had on hand. We were going to give with intent.

We would assemble several kits of daily essentials and food the average individual often takes for granted. We'd stretch our humble budget into a mountain of aid for those who couldn't help themselves, and hopefully touch the lives of those we gave to beyond a single day and a few dollars.

While we called them 'Giving Kits' at the time, it turns out this particular type of organized aid is more commonly known as a blessing bag. You can find all of the necessities to build these kits at your local 99 Cents Only Stores, often at such great prices you can build many for a very small budget of $20-30. The 6 pack of bottled water above will help build 3 blessing bags, while essentials such as antiseptic pads, bandages, and pain relievers can be purchased in individual sealed multi-packs ready to be split up.

Building Blessing Bags has become a sort of tradition in our family. Our car just isn't considered clean and restocked without them, and what we've been able to give back through them has only grown through the years as our local 99 has expanded it's merchandise offerings. This year there is a rather large portion of an aisle dedicated to warm and Winter wear, as well as affordable fleece blanket rolls. For just a few dollars we can add a warm beanie, knit gloves and a blanket to our blessing bags- a gift that continues to give long after our car has pulled away.

While we primarily make these bags with the intent of keeping them in our car to be handed out to needy strangers we might pass on the street you could also make similar kits to donate to a local Woman's shelter, or church pantry. The contents you decide to fill them with will likely be tailored to your local climate needs, and the recipients you expect to share them with.

Consider convenience when choosing items such as food- Food items should have long shelf lives, be easy to open and store, and be shelf stable. Pre-portioned snacks and meals such as protein (tuna/salmon) packs and granola bars help provide sustenance that can easily be enjoyed over time. Make sure any canned foods have easy tab-pop tops, and consider including a few plastic utensils, et naps, and tissues/napkins which may serve multiple uses .

Our local 99 Cents Only Store has a wide variety of items, and the inventory is always changing- we try top pick up essentials for our blessing bags whenever we spot a great deal, especially on multi-pack style items. You never know what you will find when you shop the 99 and amazing finds tend to go fast- so it's important to shop often and snap up those extra-cool finds when you spot them. Of course great prices on the everyday essentials and favorite name brands are always in stock. Our local 99 even has a full produce department and cold food case- so I try to include a $5 99 Cents Only Store gift card in our blessing bags when I can. I can't keep fresh oranges and milk in my car waiting to be handed out- but I can give our bags' recipients a chance to shop for some of those types of things at an affordable place like the 99.

Once you've made blessing bags for the first time you'll likely have some of the staples in excess to get you started the next time. It's a form of giving that is easy to facilitate a little at a time if you are smart and shop the 99 throughout the year. One of the things you'll need to get you started is some form of bag to put all of your items in- we buy 2 Gallon zipper bags at our 99 that hold quite a bit of stuff, and are fairly weather resistant.

Building a great Blessing Bag is a little bit like playing Tetris- if you're including a fleece blanket roll figure out where that is going in your bag first. You'll either want it to go in first, or last as it will dictate how much space you have to play around with in your bag for extras. I like to then pack any liquids, such as bottled water or V-8 juice cans in the bottom. This helps put the bulk of the weight on the bottom and also give the bag, itself, some structure. Next you'll want to thoughtfully layer food and essentials as they fit. If your bags have special themes, such as feminine hygiene products for a woman, or pet food for someone who may have a pet, be sure to face those items outward so you can quickly identify those bags.

Blessing Bags can come in all sizes- You don't have to fill a 2-gallon bag (which on average costs us about $10 to fill at our local 99), a bag with a fleece blanket, some water, and granola bars is certain to be just as appreciated. This is something we prefer to do year-round, so we build our bags based on our budget and what we can afford. This means we usually buy a few things here and there for our Blessing Bags with each 99 shopping trip- though the everyday value of shopping the 99 means you can start with nothing and have several bags built for under $10 if you shop right.

November 28th is the National Day Of Giving, the day after Cyber Monday (as everyone knows it)- and it's the perfect day to start a new tradition in your family. Why not shop 99 Cents Only Stores and make a few Blessing Bags you can hand out to those in need throughout the season? Children love getting in the giving spirit, and building a thoughtful bag helps foster a sense of appreciation for everyday essentials. You may even choose to add a special touch such as a handwritten note, or hand crocheted hat- and you'll find supplies for both at the 99!

If it weren't for 99 Cents Only Stores I, personally, wouldn't be able to afford to give so much, or so generously through these Blessing Bags. The fact that I can shop for such a wide variety of essentials, from quality name brand products really helps stretch my ability to give not only this season, but year-round. If you're looking for a little more inspiration on how to give back this season check out the 99 Social Hub and discover how others are Doing The 99. You can see what my local 99 is up to, and has hitting shelves by following them on Facebook, or discover more great 99 finds and ideas on the brand's YouTube channel and Instagram page.

Now, tell me, how are you planning on giving back this Day of Giving (November 28th)?

October Is National Adopt A Dog Month- See How We Plan On Helping!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: I love all my children, even the ones with tails.

My pets are my children. I don't expect everyone to get it, really, but I try my best to explain and share my love of animals with anyone who will listen. It's not that I prefer to have fur-children over human children, my style of family planning just happens to have tails before rattles and diapers. If you think about it, really, pets are really like toddlers that never grow up. Sure, you get just as excited when the puppy 'makes it to the potty on time,' but the relief and joy over that never really ends, nor does the cleaning up after! Yes, being a pet parent is a labor of love. And if the government would allow me I'd probably have an entire litter of four-legged friends and adopt-a-dog every time I saw one roaming the streets.

Unfortunately my space, and animal zoning regulations aren't as big as my heart. In fact, some critics would argue the 5lb ball of fluff I call a dog (Norah) doesn't even qualify as a dog- but she's about all we have room for in our condo with the cat. None-the-less, I grew up with a mother who was constantly taking animals in from shelter 'kill lists.' The animals that needed advanced care or end of life comfort most overcrowded shelters could not provide. As a result, I grew up with the desire to help homeless, and needy, animals as much as I could.

I'm excited to share that you and I both can help a dog, and shelter, in need this October when we buy Pedigree dog food and treats at Sam's Club. In honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, Pedigree has teamed up with Sam's Club to donate a bowl of food to a shelter in need for every Pedigree product purchased at Sam's Club this month! The 20lb Small Breed bg we picked up at Sam's Club will feed Nora for several months, and was so affordable we even picked up a second bag, and some Pedigree Stackerz tear treats to donate directly to our local shelter. That's 3 bowls of food donated by Pedigree, and a whole lot of yum directly from our household to the county animal shelter!

In fact, visiting the local shelter is something we do at least once a month, and usually more often. Volunteering time at our shelter requires a once a week, 4 hour commitment; peanuts when you consider it! We also have found ways to help out be dropping off excess toys and treats from special couponing scores items that are simply too big for Nora (we get a lot for reviews), and even great buys on toys we find from the dollar store. We never visit the shelter empty handed and no donation is too small. But one of the most important ways you can help out is by spreading the word that there are great animals right at your local shelter, waiting for a home.

For years I have been supporting a local non-profit organization known as No Kill LA; which aims to make Los Angeles, CA a kill free shelter zone. In 2012 over 13k healthy animals were put to sleep in Los Angeles shelters due to overcrowding, and in 2013 9k. While the numbers are getting smaller these facts are still staggering, and this is just in a metropolitan area near me; what are your statistics near you? Unfortunately, as much as Sabrina (12) would like to think so, adopting a dog is not a decision that can be made on a whim. It can be hard not to give into the puppy eyes of your children, or the literal puppies, but adopting a dog is a big decision.

I encourage all animal lovers considering a new pet to visit a local shelter; it's free and many are open 7 days a week with extended hours. While you may want a puppy; consider your family's makeup- do you have older pets that might have trouble adjusting to a rambunctious new pet? Do you have younger children that might not be able to understand the needs and energy of a puppy? A dog is not considered a puppy if it is older than a year in age; and the adoption rates drop significantly for every year after. But adopting an older dog can be beneficial in many circumstances. Most adult dogs are house-trained, and even socialized with humans and other pets. Talk to your shelter representatives to learn about each dog and their individual temperaments.

On our most recent shelter visit we had a chance to get in a little play and cuddle time with a nameless chihuahua who had been taken in off the street just 6 days before. Chihuahuas and pit bulls are common overpopulated breeds found on the streets near us. This particular sweet girl had had a few litters of her own and was very timid at first. Holding her close to her body and offering some gentle scratches beneath her chin Sabrina was at last able to get the dog to  open her eyes and stop trembling. Because I could not take her home, I promised we would share her story, and ID number with friends and family who might have an inviting home.

If you are able to accommodate a pet, or more pets, in your home, you may wish to ask your local animal services and shelter about becoming a foster parent. Foster homes are crucial to easing the overcrowding in shelters, extending an animals potential adoptions time, and identifying any special needs an animal may have (IE: not good with kids, needs an active lifestyle, prefers natural litter) that may give them better odds of being adopted by the right home. Most animal shelters seek foster homes for small animals, cats, and dogs- and you can join a foster program while still maintaining control over which animals you do or do not welcome into your home; it is always voluntary.

Last, but not least, in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog month I wanted to re-share an idea I featured here on the blog last year. Our family always has a few gallon sized bags full of water, antiseptic/hand sanitizer, granola bars, and tuna, for any homeless we may pass in the car on the street. We have recently begun adding single serve dog  food pouches for the numerous homeless we see with pets by their side. I guess you can say seeing how #PedigreeGives has really inspired us! If you'd like to learn more about Pedigree's initiatives and great products be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube and remember, for every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club this month they will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!

Do you have an adopted shelter pet? How can you give back to the shelters and homeless animals?

What Daughter Says: There are many ways you can share your heart with an animal in need this October!

As a special note, the #PedigreeGives Twitter Party will take place on 10/14 at 1PM EST (10 PST)- So, if you love animals an want to talk pets, head on over and RSVP, there will be $550 in prizes!

Bucket List Tuesday: Charity Goals For Life

I've had my hands full with a homemade Tiramisu project today, so my Bucket List Tuesday post is going up a little late. However,in between layering coffee drenched ladyfingers, I had some time to consider which of my goals I wanted to discuss. After all, while one's Bucket List may be full of crazy and fun activities or events, it is just as important for mine to contain lifetime goals of a more long term nature. With this week marking the year anniversary of my grandmother, a woman I can only hope to one day emulate with even a fraction of her compassion and heart, and yesterday's jarring events in Boston, #3 (Charity) seemed fitting. I am no Saint; but it physically pains me to watch suffering, to the point I cannot sit through graphic sequences of loss, even in films like Titanic. As strong as these feelings are, I also recognize their value. If one cannot see these things (hunger, illness, strife) with open eyes, than how can one truly appreciate that which they have?

No, I'm not signing on to do missionary work, though I admire and value so much those who do- but there are a few things in my lifetime I hope to do; perhaps some even more than once. The biggest part of this very generic Bucket List topic is to practice charity with a kind heart and open mind day to day. That is to say, I expect this one to only find it's final check mark at my last breath. I have already found a way to impact my community in a small sense by reaching out to those on corners with signs through Blessings Bags. You don't have to be an individual of faith to understand the meaning behind these aptly titled gallon size Ziplocs, chocked full of life's essentials. You may recall my tale of how they came to be a staple in our car's backseat. Essentially they are an alternative to case and change that offers those in need immediate water, food, and basic sanitation solutions. I give money as well, when I can; but this way I am never caught off guard by an extended hand.

When I left college and journeyed across country to be with my high school sweetheart in Rhode Island, I quickly learned just how hard it was to survive on my own. I recall I worked 3 jobs, 7 days away, and many with double shifts, just to get by. Of course, I was young and in love, so I was content to work so hard in exchange for the simple life I maintained. I recall the weather I had so favored as a child, turning cold as Winter neared. That Thanksgiving, far from my West Coast family, I dedicated my time helping out in a soup kitchen run by a local church. This is something I have been wanting to repeat in the year's since. Of course there is need for helping hands and able bodies in food kitchens 365 days a year, but most seem motivated more easily during the holidays when we are inclined to feel so very grateful. For me, the timing is not important, I simply know where to find places in need more readily during this time of the year.

Lastly, my love for animals impacts this charitable goal. I have long maintained a feeling of unease at the sight of animals in cages. I don't even frequent zoos because I question the happiness of an animal kept in a pen just a few multiples of it's own size. Ask the other half, if I could have a menagerie of cats and dogs in our home, I would. I'm already, technically, over our home owner's association limit with the 3 we have (shhhhh!) This is why my final goal is more of a retirement plan. One day I'd love to own a nice old house in a rural area where I could dedicate an entire porch or wander room to cats with lifelong illness and handicaps. Inspired by my personal favorite shelter, the Blind Cat Rescue in North Carolina (which houses 100 cats, permanently), this would be something much smaller in scale. I envision an open home for pet owners to surrender their cats for proper lifelong care and medical assistance. In the mean time, until I can reach that goal, I spend my free time encouraging others to vote with me daily for the Blind Cat Rescue to win a $10k grant. It's as simple as clicking over to here, typing in "Blind Cat Rescue" and choosing NC as the state. Then click vote, and enter the captcha! They are in a very close 2nd place, so every vote helps!

Do you have a charity goal or interest that fuels your life?