BY MICHAEL RICONDA
WEST NYACK – After months of clipping and saving, Rockland’s own “Coupon Queen” Anna Foldvary DeSousa made a massive holiday season donation to Meals on Wheels on December 23.
Joined by State Sen. David Carlucci and Meals on Wheels CEO and President Don Hammond, boxes containing thousands of foodstuffs, hygeine and beauty products, over-the-counter medicines, batteries and other items were hauled into the Meals on Wheels kitchen at their center on West Nyack Road in Nanuet.
The donations are the end result of about half a year’s worth of clipped and saved coupons, a practice which has gained some attention in recent years and can bring grocery bills down by dozens if not hundreds of dollars. DeSousa, a frequent food donor, has diligently clipped coupons for several years.
“It’s fun for me to do and I love giving this stuff away,” DeSousa said. “It’s just a hobby and it’s a challenge for me to go into the store, bring up my bill, and see what I’m paying.”
Most of the donations were pre-prepared foods which DeSousa said she would rather donate than prepare herself. The total purchases were so large that even DeSousa Did not know exactly how much she had accumulated.
According to Hammond, Meals on Wheels intends to use the donations to bolster operations through the winter, which is typically a difficult period for both food transportation and senior accessibility to needed services. The wealth of food might also present the opportunity to provide extra meals in the evening.
“This really is what our community is all about,” Hammond said. “Volunteering and giving back to the community is what makes all of us feel good at this time of year.”
Donations to Meals on Wheels can be made in-person at their Nanuet location or via PayPal by visiting www.mowrockland.org/donate.html.
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