Program Overview
Learn Shop is a phenomenal, volunteer based, non-profit, anti-hunger program fighting the problems of hunger in the United States of America. From its beginning through 1997, Learn Shop has procured over $406,426.00 worth of groceries with only $2,142.00 from it's food fund (for distribution to shelters, soup kitchens, pantries, and other empowerment programs) all with coupons!
This incredible success is the result of basic home economics applied on a massive scale to combat a challenging social problem. Learn Shop's approach to the problem of hunger in the State of Maryland involves three innovative components that will be duplicated across the United States:
1). "Dollar Stretching With Coupons", an instructional video on effective grocery shopping techniques is provided at no charge to the: U.S.D.A.'s W.I.C. Clinics (Women, Infants, & Children), social services, housing authorities, and community centers. This is done with the help of individual and corporate sponsors. The video will change waiting rooms into classrooms. It encourages the economically challenged to grocery shop in a more resourceful manner.
2). Containers of manufacturer coupons are placed monthly at social services, clinics, and community centers for economically challenged people to help themselves to when they grocery shop. Coupons for cigarettes and any alcohol related products are edited out before hand.
3). Learn Shop works with retailers to order and purchase massive amounts of groceries and supplies for helping organizations such as pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and empowerment programs. It uses the same techniques that it encourages those in economic peril to practice.
Learn Shop includes substantial involvement from faith communities, public school students, clubs, and senior communities. The grocery coupons from Sunday newspaper editions are donated by subscribers to combat the problem of hunger. The coupon booklets are catagorized in units of 100 of a kind. The school students uncollate them as part of community service. This task is accomplished before, during, or after school. It is safe and alleviates the students' transportation problems. While sorting, the students improve matching skills, communication, and team-work ability. When the task is done, students reflect and discuss how they helped others in need, thus increasing the awareness of the community of the problem of poverty. The sorted "sheaves" are given to senior groups to cut out and catagorize according to the coupon's expiration date. One such group meets twice a month at Leisure World's Inter-Faith Chapel. This involvement is in the tradition of the quilting bees as it helps fight a social ill and provides a healthy opportunity for socialization. Learn Shop Inc. has developed a second video entitled: "Clipping Across The U.S.A." for use by community leaders in developing this program in their area.
Deputy Secretary Lynda Fox of Maryland's Department of Human Resources is excited about Learn Shop. She has introduced Learn Shop to the Community Services Administration. Executive Director Denese Maker has noted that Learn Shop complements their programs. Learn Shop Inc. works with Coordinator Carolyn F. Edmonds of Project Retain in the Office of Transitional Services. Learn Shop takes what many regard as trash, and with the help of students and seniors converts it to a viable resource for the economically imperilled. Learn Shop's methods empower those who volunteer with it as well as those it serves. It is exciting to watch young and old working in tandem to fight a problem common to all the states.
Index
What follows is the educational proposal of Learn Shop, Inc. an anti-hunger program. This ncludes its history, current activities, future goals and needs. It also includes ways the model may be duplicated in other counties and states in the United States of America.
Part I. Waiting Rooms Into Class Rooms.
1. Background of Learn Shop Inc.
2. Description Of The Learn Shop Video Tape Entitled: "Dollar Stretching With
Coupons".
3. Assessment Of Needs.
4. Sponsorship Of The Teaching Video Tape.
Part II. Coupons For The Community.
Section A.
5. Coupons Distribution To Those In Need, Through Social Service
Agencies.
6. Coupons Assisting The WIC Program
7. Uses For Expired Coupons.
Section B.
8. Coupons Used In Actual Grocery Purchases.
9. Rebates And Direct Manufacturer Donations.
Section C.
10. Description Of Video On How To Develop This Program: "Clipping
Across The U.S.A."
11. Opportunities For Service.
Appendix I: Coupon Program - 1997 End of Year Report.
Appendix II: Club & School Related Resources for Community Coupon Service.
Appendix III: Newspaper Articles And Letters.
In the Spring of 1992, Reverend Kevin and Louise Newcomer began to teach classes to the economically disadvantaged in the Silver Spring, Maryland area, at local libraries. Many who received AFDC support or Food Stamp support did not have basic home economic knowledge. The classes were thus called Learn Shops. At the Learn Shop knowledge of unit pricing, coupon usage, rebate usage, shopping different outlets for their sale items, and store versus national brands was conveyed. The demand and need for the classes became so great that a video tape of the class was produced to make it available for other service organizations across the country. It was realized that the class tape, "Dollar Stretching With Coupons," could also be utilized as an excellent outreach tool by faith communities to other people. It would fit in well with health clinics, senior centers, W.I.C., housing authorities and community action agencies and other social service offices. In order to circulate "Dollar Stretching With Coupons" to agencies across the continent Learn Shop was incorporated and received 501 C-3 tax exempt status from the I.R.S.. This report is directed to those parties that are familiar with the economically disadvantaged. It is directed to those who see the need for education to empower the economically disadvantaged to break old patterns of behavior.
From 1992 to the present, Learn Shop has organized groups, clubs, and many different faith communities to systematically collect, sort, cut and distribute grocery coupons to social services. The coupons are made available to the economically imperilled in Maryland. From networking and connecting with community leaders the program went from one church in December 1992 to well over 250 faith communities saving coupons by December 1997. There are condos and schools saving as well. Scouts and senior communities help Learn Shop cut the coupons for use in shopping and distribution. Learn Shop has people saving coupons in the District of Columbia and all its surrounding counties. Even the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Andrew Coumo, has his organization saving in the 7th street office building. This model of coupon collecting and distribution could be duplicated in other cities nationally. Service organizations across the country could utilize the teaching tape to encourage coupon usage by the economically distressed. The Washington Post has covered this program in both The Maryland Weekly and in "J-Street" in The Washington Post Magazine. Learn Shop's reputation extends not only to the local newspapers but to radio and television alike. The local channels 9, 8, 21, 4, and 5 have recognized this ability as well as Mormon Radio, N.E.T. and the B.B.C.. The teaching video tape may be displayed continually everywhere the economically disadvantaged are a presence. Learn Shop needs the help of organizations and individuals now to focus on education in the coming year. The way to decrease the problem of hunger is to expose more people to the potential of coupon usage and basic home economic principles when they grocery shop.
"Dollar Stretching With Coupons" was produced in a professional studio in May, 1993. Its contents include an introduction to the concept of saving money by shopping effectively. It has approximately 20 minutes of viewing time. It contains an actual shopping trip where coupon use and sales are encouraged and demonstrated. There is a section describing rebates and premiums that can be procured by consumers from manufacturers, examples range from tools to toys. There are comments from previous Learn Shop participants as to how the class will help them. There is a review of possible sources of grocery coupons. And finally, included with each tape sent out, is a copy of shopping tip highlights, which may be duplicated by the organization hosting the tape. The shopping tips (which are provided in both English and Spanish) may be distributed to those viewing the tape to take home with them.
The following background information is necessary to picture the function of the Learn Shop teaching tape in the USA society of 1998:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau there were 259,242,000 people in the USA as of November 1993. We round the figure up to 260 million for the sake of simplicity. The most current information from the U.S.D.A. in Alexandria noted that in fiscal year 1997 there were approximately 20.7 million people in the USA receiving food stamp benefits each month; this does not include the 1.1 million in state options. According to the Children's Defense Fund at least half that figure of 20.7 million are children. At least one in five children in the USA goes to bed hungry every night. As of January 1994 there were 27.5 million receiving those benefits. There were more than 1 in 10 people in America utilizing U.S.D.A. support in 1994. The drop in figures is attributed to welfare reform's impact.
In the time period in which food stamp usage declined the W.I.C. participation increased with more who qualified and increased funding for W.I.C. U.S.D.A. representatives note that in fiscal year 1997, 7.4 million people in the U.S.A. was the average monthly participation who received assistance from W.I.C., the Women, Infants, and Children Program. This figure increased from 6.2 million as of December 1993. Those on WIC include "The Working Poor" as well as some who also receive food stamp help. This program is one of the best investments that can be made in America's future. W.I.C. provides nutritional counseling that prevents many childhood illnesses.
These figures are often referred to as lagging economic indicators. That is, the economy must greatly improve over an extended period before these figures will decline. This means that those in distress are increasing while the middle or upper middle class is decreasing. The decrease of the latter means less tax revenue available to local, state, and federal programs involved in assisting the former to stabilize and recover their position. As the local, state, and federal governments are unable to assist those in economic distress those in need are seeking increasing support from private institutions, as well as social action groups and faith communities.
The soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries have seen an 25% to 50% increase in those utilizing their services depending on their geographical location. These groups have not seen a like increase in resources available to assist those in need.
The allotment of 69.9 cents per person per meal on food stamps is not enough to last a full month. Usually by the third or fourth week most families must go to food pantries for help. Some even go to soup kitchens to eat. Many soup kitchens in the 1990's have families in attendance because of this. By utilizing food coupons and shopping during sales the food stamp allotment may be extended. This also applies to the budget of the working poor and those on W.I.C. who may have just too much to qualify for food stamps but not enough to feed their family properly.
According to trade publications there were 7 billion coupons issued across the U.S.A. in 1965. They were found in newspapers and women's magazines. As of 1991 there were 310 billion issued and of that figure only 7.7 billion were redeemed. These manufacturer coupons are distributed through newspaper inserts, magazines, mailers, and through computers at major grocery store check-out lines. This phenomena is restricted to the U.S.A. and began as early as a hundred years ago as a marketing technique. The majority of the coupons are trashed or recycled. Part of the large increase in coupon issuance is its effectiveness as a marketing technique. It is our firm belief that increased coupon usage by the economically disadvantaged would provide them with more food. It would also stimulate the economy as they are likely to spend more in the food stores rather than place the money saved in a bank.
In analyzing possible places where the public may be exposed to this educational message, the Population Reference Bureau was contacted. They provided the following information. There are 3,143 counties or their equivalents divided among the 50 United States. The equivalents included the Bureaus in Alaska and the Parishes in Louisiana. These include cities such as Baltimore as a county unit. These government blocks include in them social service, housing authorities, W.I.C. and other offices of support.
There are 268 Metropolitan Statistical Areas across the USA That include 50,000 or more people per cluster. For example, the Washington, DC--Baltimore metropolitan area and their surrounding counties are counted as one such cluster. Hagerstown, Frederick, Annapolis are regarded as part of that cluster as is Northern Virginia.
It was also noted that in the 1990 Yearbook of U.S. and Canada it was estimated that there were at least 358,194 faith communities in the U.S. The National Council of Churches of Christ provided that figure from their Almanac of American Churches.
With such a large segment of the population being economically distressed it compels us as compassionate, caring community leaders to have classes continually displayed at: social services, community action agencies, W.I.C. and housing authorities, senior and community centers, Linkage to Learning Offices, schools and libraries as well as faith communities. This is possible, especially now that VCR's are a common technological tool that is so widely available. This is affirmed by the vast number of Blockbuster Video Stores and other such outlets. According to the U.S.D.A. several states have Electronic Benefit Transfer cards like Maryland's Independence Card. These cards replace the old food stamps issued out with a central fund that is drawn on with a month's allowance that social services determines. Social services require recipients to view a brief video on how to use the card. Why should they not view another video on how to use it to the best benefit?
The churches and temples may utilize the video tape as outreach to all members of the community, thus demonstrating real caring and concern for their needs in yet another way. The government agencies displaying the Learn Shop tape would be helping the U.S.D.A. in getting the most out of its investment in America's children. For our future to be bright they must have their nutritional needs met now. The expansion of the marketplace activity of 1 in 10 Americans can only stimulate the over all economic health of all of us. This is something that we can do for our country that will have lasting benefits. As President John F. Kennedy stated: "If not us, Who? If not now, When?"
Learn Shop's programs are very beneficial as a previously untapped resource is utilized for the benefit of many distressed people. This tape will be directed to people from all walks of life. Especially people who have not been afforded the opportunity to learn how to shop resourcefully. The Learn Shop teaching video will be placed in libraries, senior and community centers, P.T.A.s, W.I.C. and social service offices, as well as at housing authorities, health clinics and other community action agencies across the country. Churches and other faith communities should be encouraged to start a program in their organizations. The teaching tape will be displayed over and over again as a way of reaching out to people in the community at large. One tape may reach thousands of people. Before one may reform another, they must first be informed of a better way.
One method for people and organizations to help Learn Shop with this project is to sponsor a teaching tape for $14.95 and have it donated to an organization in their name. The video will be viewed many times by people in the community who need to improve their shopping skills. This is by far the most economically prudent anti-hunger program. Many other educational programs cost federal and state governments thousands of dollars and do not have as wide a possible range as the Learn Shop Teaching Video. One such program, Maryland's "Super Pantry" teaches approximately 20 to 30 people per six week course at a cost of approximately $1,800 per course. It is a wonderful concept however with 20.5 million people receiving food stamp assistance alone (not including the working poor who do not qualify), we need to educate many people on a massive scale. One in ten people in the U.S.A. receive food stamp benefits chances are someone that you know needs this assistance.
Learn Shop Inc. will work with any federal or state agency in finding sponsors for the video tapes. Learn Shop Inc. is located outside Washington, D.C.. Learn Shop Inc. will contact national agencies or Congressional Representatives and or corporate sponsors to locate the funding sources for the organizations that need the video tapes.
The manufacturer coupons are a major promotional tool. In order for a family to utilize them two things must happen: 1. The family needs to know when, how, where, and why to use them. 2. The coupons must be available to the family. Focused shopping skills will assist those striving for economic independence to reach their goals. The manufacturer coupons are most often distributed through the major Sunday newspapers. Newspaper subscription is one of the first things to go when a family is in economic trouble. The subscribers are guaranteed one set of the coupons issued. Typically the coupons are on magazine stock paper and are in 8 by 11 inch booklets placed with other inserts. There is no guarantee of coupons being present in store bought papers.
With the above points in mind Learn Shop began organizing faith communities, schools and service clubs in 1992 to collect the coupon booklets from the Washington Post. The booklets were sorted in units of a 100 booklets a time and then coupons cut in mass. In Montgomery County, Maryland receptacles are filled each month with coupons. The coupons are in batches of a 100 of a particular coupon. All types of coupons are made available with the exception of any alcohol or pseudo alcohol products and those coupons for tobacco related products. The receptacles are placed in social services, health clinics, and other locations where the economically challenged have access. These boxes are one more method to encourage coupon use. Learn Shop is sharing this model with other counties and states to fight the problem of hunger nationwide. Some states are creating "Exit Packets" for those people leaving federal assistance programs. These consist of ideas and resources in the community for those leaving to have to utilize. With postage and handling covered Learn Shop will supply coupons for those packets with current sales in mind. We have access to sales information nationwide.
Coupons collected and sorted from the community can be a great
resource for the U.S.D.A.'s W.I.C. program. Volunteers can collect coupons for W.I.C.
approved products such as juices, baby foods, cereals, and place them with the vouchers
being issued. The coupons combined with the vouchers would encourage positive consumer
skills. Depending on the state, the coupons will do one of two things:
1. When the coupons are redeemed with the vouchers the W.I.C. receipt will receive some
money back for the purchase. This will be a good way to expose them to the usefulness of
wise shopping. 2. When the voucher is redeemed, the money will be taken off the bill that
is charged to the W.I.C. budget. The second does not give the customer the same feed back
as the first, however there is an impact. In Montgomery County, Maryland the customer will
get no money back directly for using coupons with the vouchers. An experiment was
conducted when Alice McCain was Director for Montgomery County W.I.C.. Volunteers combined
coupons from Learn Shop with vouchers for W.I.C. approved cereals. As the vouchers were
distributed the customers were told that when they used coupons with the vouchers they
would help W.I.C. to maintain its current customer list or even increase it to help
others. When Director McCain received a quarterly report expenses were down ! The
customers had used the coupons to help others ! Though Learn Shop has no coupons to help
W.I.C. with administrative time, coupon usage with vouchers could help hold inflation in
check. /p>
Smart consumers have no brand loyalty. Smart consumers try new products with promotions to stretch out their fund to buy still more products. It is far better for W.I.C. customers to procure their food from grocery stores with the counselling in nutrition that they have received, than to depend on pantries. Food pantries are not always able to give out sugar free cereals and other items. It is important that W.I.C. customers have the market tools to use with their nutrition education. This also serves to boost their self esteem and encourage their moving toward economic freedom.
Learn Shop utilizes expired coupons in creative ways to extend their value. The first is to send the coupons that are within 6 months of the expiration date to U.S. military bases overseas. In response to the increased shipping time required manufacturers will honor coupons from the commissaries for an additional 6 months past the date. In the appendix there is an article that lists the Family Support Services which will accept the coupons to disperse to the personnel. Please note Learn Shop is not taking a position that many of the personnel are not paid adequately. Learn Shop supports those who are in the field of keeping world peace. When the coupons have expired in the U.S.A., it is a small gesture to those serving our country away from home. The second way Learn Shop utilizes coupons which have expired beyond six months is to share them with elementary schools. The coupons are used in math classes at various grade levels in a hands on manner to teach addition and subtraction. The expired coupons have been used in consumer math classes with questions on their value and saving when the coupons are doubled or tripled in value. When a community collects coupons the expired ones will exist and these are two creative methods to help others with those coupons.
The economically challenged are not the only group that with encouragement could fight hunger. Many schools and faith communities have "canned food drives. " Why not encourage people to buy products on sale and procure two cans instead of one ? Learn Shop has procured several hundred thousand dollars worth of groceries for pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, humane societies, and other empowerment programs, for a little under three thousand dollars and thousands of coupons. The food fund budget as been assisted by service clubs such as the B'nai B'rith to purchase food supplies for the Manna Food Center of Montgomery County, Maryland. Many different items have been procured. The products have been directed to the agency appropriate to the character and size of the item procured. For example: Large sizes of toothpaste are directed to pantries for families or Trail sized toothpaste are directed to shelters and soup kitchens for the homeless. Frozen foods are directed to agencies with the capacity to store and deliver the items. Any products that a restaurant could use, are directed to soup kitchens. Baby supplies are sent to pregnancy centers and shelters for women with children. Humane societies and wildlife hospitals receive coupons and actual pet food. Toiletries and snack foods are perfect for homeless programs. Those who are economically challenged need cosmetics and cleaning supplies the same as any other family. The reality of this welfare reform period involves all of us being more efficient and effective in what we do. It is about finding ways to extend everyones resources. Direct grocery purchases with coupons and sales are one more way to do just that.
Rebates are a promotional tool of manufacturers to expand the market for a particular product. They are very often restricted to individuals or households for a one-time deal. Sometimes there is no limit on the amount that can be procured with the proper qualifiers. One example is a simple "Success Rice" tote bag. Learn Shop Inc. obtained 800 boxes of Success Rice on sale. It had a rebate of a tote bag for 8 proofs of purchase and the form. 100 tote bags were procured for the Homeless by this rebate. The tote bags will be distributed to homeless programs in the Washington, D.C. area. Several different items for as many different programs have been procured for those in need. It is an option that should not be over looked
Another source for programs assisting others is direct gifts, donations from the manufacturers themselves. Revlon donated 2000 trail sized bottles of Outrageous Shampoo for distribution to men's and women's shelters in the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Purina made a donation of 100, 20 pound bags of dog chow which were turned over to 2 wildlife centers in Maryland. Both donations were greatly appreciated.
With these many purchases Learn Shop Inc. has obtained large amounts of grocery receipts. One particular store chain had $14,000 in register receipts collected by Learn Shop in 1998. It was an Apples For Students Program. This year Damascus High School received the register receipts to get improved computer equipment. Next year another school will be selected.
This video is designed to visually convey the contents of this
report. Many people have preconceived ideas on cutting coupons one at a time. This video
is about cutting and sorting on a large scale.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, Learn Shop Inc. has had great success with the help of hundreds of people of different faiths, schools, service clubs, ages and political backgrounds. What they had in common was a desire to fight hunger in an innovative and pioneering manner. For some the motivation was as simple as relieving themselves of the guilt feelings for not using the coupons themselves. For others it was a personal experience with hunger at some point in their lives. For the students in Maryland it has been a great way to fulfil a graduation requirement for community service. For many seniors it is a great way to socialize and help out other people. Many in the Democratic Party believe in the social programs that were started by Roosevelt, increased by Truman, Kennedy, and Johnson. Many in the Republican Party believe in the power of economic independence and the capital based economy. All agree that hunger in the United States of America is a problem that needs to be addressed.
In order for this program to work in a city, county or state, a leader needs to be found to take on the project, such as an active faith community or Americorp Volunteer. They need to round up faith communities, schools, and clubs. A coupon booklet collection must be started. The students work well with both sorting and cutting. Marilyn Schuman, (a Montgomery County school teacher and board member of Learn Shop) has developed a three page instruction sheet. is in the appendix of this report and can assist any youth leader in implementing this project in their community. It is an indirect model of community service in that the students do not have actual contact with those they assist. Ava Mendelson, a Student Service Learning Fellow and Home Economics Teacher utilizes the "Dollar Stretching With Coupons" video and the coupon sorting in her curriculum. The collection and sorting of coupon booklets can be done before or after school or during a lunch period. It is safe and causes no transportation hardship on the student. The activity assists the student with matching skills, co-ordination, and team work. It respects the student's time and conveys the concept of assembly line procedures. The students in groups of 5 to 10 uncollate a stack of a 100 of a certain coupon booklet. When they are done if the booklet had 20 pages they would have 20 different stacks each consisting of approximately a 100 sheets all lined up and faced up so many of a coupon could be cut at once. For those students who have English as a foreign language the sheets of pictures help extend their vocabulary and convey some of this country's shopping techniques. Many of our poorest are also the young who this program could assist, these students learn ways to help their own families as well as others.
Senior groups can benefit from assisting the social services by cutting out the stacks of pages that school groups have produced. When working with a school or club the seniors could take the sorted stacks and gather to cut the coupons out. Several groups in Montgomery County get together at various times of the month to cut the coupons and place them in boxes or bags according to when the coupons expire. The socializing has been an added benefit for the seniors that participate. The response has been tremendous as it provides the seniors with an opportunity to engage in community service in their senior community. Some seniors have taken coupon sheets to their apartments to cut out as they watch television. However they cut them the program requires relatively little physical effort. The program helps fulfil a basic human need to be needed. Both young and old, the volunteers' efforts have been appreciated.
The total program is perfect for churches, temples, and synagogues, many of which are located deep in both city and countryside. The groups may invite members of the community to come and view the video tape. There may be discussion following about ways to save money locally. The faith communities can spear head the coupon drive, the sorting, uncollating and cutting. Others may look for sales in the local markets. Learn Shop is committed to helping these groups. With the internet, experienced local shoppers can work with the faith communities to buy supplies for soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters. The faith communities could utilize buses or convoys of cars to take people on shopping trips. This works well in inner cities to help people purchase food in major supermarkets in the suburbs. The corner grocery stores are charged more for the food they sell and pass on the higher prices to consumers. With an organized shopping day faith communities can reach out to more people and encourage good stewardship. They could share ideas about items on sale and visit several stores saving the perishables for the last store on their route.
Learn Shop Inc. works with faith communities and schools across the United States of America because of its commitment to impact the problem of hunger in our time. Since we live in a capital based economy, it is in the best interest of the country to teach the economically challenged to be good capitalists. The money that is saved will mean more products purchased in the stores. With more items purchased it helps the economy in general. It means more nutritional foods to hungry families. With "Dollar Stretching With Coupons" and "Clipping Across The U.S.A.", any group in any city or county will have the tools to teach and organize, to maximize the effect of its anti-hunger efforts. Many say it seems odd that there is hunger in this nation with all its bounty. As this program is fully implemented, people will be empowered to be independent and free from a perpetual food crisis.
To make a donation online to Learnshop, Please click here.
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