What do you do with the small mountain of your unused and expired coupons every month? Donate them. Military families overseas can use coupons up to six months past their expiration date.
Learn How To Donate Your Expired Coupons To Families In Need
You would typically think that if a coupon has passed its expiration date they would be worthless and bound for the recycle bin.
Well, that is not true.
Have you ever heard that you can send expired coupons to military families overseas, for use in their commissaries? You can!!! And Did you know that there are many overseas military coupon programs?
Expired coupons can continue to be used by families for up to six months after their expiration date at overseas military bases (only). I love the thought of an extra bonus, as small as it is for our brave men and women. I believe in these programs full-heartily and hope that maybe I can inspire you to believe and participate in as well.
It is easy for me to make this decision since being raised in a military family. My dad served in the Army for over 20 years. If you think this is an option for you please read on. The only cost to you is a stamp. If shipping to an overseas military address the cost will remain the same as shipping within the United States.
How to Donate Coupons to Military Families
If you use a few coupons or a lot, you know that sinking feeling you get when you realize you went to all the trouble to clip it, but it expired before you used it. Overseas military commissaries will accept manufacturer coupons that are expired. They will accept all coupons that are expired six months after the expiration date.
You can make it easy for others to save money, but clipping coupons you may not use or those you just didn’t utilize. How do you donate? Easy…just clip those coupons and send to one of the following companies (listed below).
Overseas Military Expired Coupon Programs
These programs allow you to ship expired coupons to military personnel who can use them or up to six months after the listed expiration date. Let’s first go over some rules to shipping those expired coupons to our military friends.
Coupons that unfortunately can’t be used:
- No assistance vouchers.
- Food stamps or the like are not accepted
- No store coupons. For example, we can’t use store coupons like Walmart, Price Chopper, Target, Walgreens, etc.
- No restaurant coupons.
- No coupons that have been printed from the Internet.
Current Military Coupon Donation Programs
Coupons For Troops
Click on the spreadsheet listed and donate directly to those families in need
CouponCabin.com
attn: Expired Coupons for Troops
PO BOX 430
Whiting, IN 46394-0430
Overseas Coupon Program
List of all American military bases overseas which currently participate
To Donate to a Family in this program – Fill out this form
Support Our Troops®
P.O. Box 70
Daytona Beach, FL 32115-007
Helpful Hints for Donating Coupons to Military Families
There is no minimum amount of coupons needed to participate in these programs. They only ask that a few little steps be taken to help if you are not paired with a military family. The first being, that coupons be expired no more than 30 days at a time to ensure adequate processing, delivery, and use the time for the recipients.
Coupons should be sorted into food and non-food categories and packages accordingly for delivery. Please see their site for more details about their requirements and to see how you can be of assistance.
Alternately, you can think about adopting your own Military Relatives or Friends. Perhaps they aren’t even aware that these kinds of programs exist and are missing out on this fantastic way to cut down on overseas expenses. I’m sure it will be greatly appreciated. Just reach out to those you know are on a base overseas, or ask your friends and family to connect you with individuals they know that are in the military overseas.
These programs help loosen the tight purse strings of our military families and ensure they can care for and support their loved ones.
It is the least we can do to show our gratitude for all they do to protect and serve our own families. So, next time you have expired coupons, don’t throw them out, send them to someone that can use them!
If you have donated in the past or currently donating, let us know. Are you donating to one of the companies suggested in this article or another company? Leave us a comment below.
More Budget And Coupon Tips:
Couponing Tips To Prevent Burn Out
The “Ten Commandments” Of Couponing
6 Food Purchases That Bust You Budget
Cynthia C says
This is such a good idea. I usually throw mine away after they expire.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Thank you Cathy! Every coupon can help someone else out.
Destiny Bailey says
This just made my day! What an amazing program! I’m so happy you let us in on such a wonderful thing! I am totally on it! I have tons and tons of coupons and panic when expiration is coming up! So this is just fantastic! I will be checking out all of the programs you listed! Thanks so much!!
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
You have such a wonderful heart Destiny. Your coupons will most surely bless others in need. Thank you for stepping up
Bridgette Fudge says
It dont appear that your site has been updated. I only see 1 family requesting coupons for 2020.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
This is correct. The companies that use to do have since stopped. Couponing is not what it use to be 🙁
Lori says
Hello. I have a bunch of Enfamil baby formula coupons. Do I send them to the Daytona address?
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Lori,
This is outstanding. I know they would be very grateful for those coupons. And yes to the Daytona address.
Cindy says
Are all the address curre
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Cindy, Yes they are.
Cindy Lamb says
Are their any families that I can send the coupons right to them.
I get 25 sets of coupons a week.
Thank you for all you do for our military families.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Cindy,
Yes. In fact, one of the companies will connect you directly with a family. We adopted a family overseas. It was very rewarding.
Marie D'Errico says
It would be helpful if you could provide a person’s name along with the address.. Since 9/11 the post office will not accept a package that does not have a person’s name. The last time I sent a package i just mad a name upo so I could get the package sent!
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Marie, you simply put the name of the company in the name field. Ie. Coupons for Troops followed by their address.