Coupon Queen Stocks Infant Jesus Food Pantry

When graduate, Gia Pendergast found herself in financial distress it spawned an obsession that helped her get her family out of debt and inspired a business, Long Island Coupon Queen.

In February, Pendergast was at in Port Jefferson to . And all the money she raised from the event, she then used to fill the shelves of the church’s food pantry.

In a blog post on her website she talked about the seminar and how she was able to donate food to the pantry.

“When I was there on Thursday they only had one box of cereal in the pantry,” she wrote. “They go through at least 200 boxes a month, so I knew what I was buying with the money we collected.”

In an email to Patch, Pendergast outlined the savings and purchases she made to stock the shelves.

Before the coupon savings and using a store card, her total bill for the shopping trip was more than $150.

“After using coupons and my store cards I paid $54.96,” she said.

She was able to add eight boxes of Quaker oatmeal, five boxes granola bars and 41 boxes of cereal to the pantry’s shelves.

Pendergast is a member of the church and both of her sons were baptized there so she felt she wanted to give back to the community. This isn’t the only good deed to come from her couponing success. She donates proceeds of many of her seminars to good causes.

“I decided to take all proceeds for my upcoming class and it will be going to The Little Shelter in Huntington and Save-A-Pet in Port Jefferson Station,” Pendergast said.

She’s also open to helping out any food pantry that needs it or even individual families. Last December she donated funds from a class to two single mothers who were just moving out of a shelter.

“If you ever hear or someone who is in need or an organization that I could help, please let me know,” she said. “I will do my best to coupon for them too.”

Contact Pendergast through her website, Long Island Coupon Queen.