By all accounts, sisters Sandi and Flo Knapp are pretty savvy shoppers when it comes to collecting customer rewards and capitalizing on bargains.
And they are even better at putting all of that to good use to benefit Richmond’s disadvantaged.
Thanks to their cobbling together a collection of customer loyalty points, a keen eye for deals, and their own cash donation, the retired duo recently managed to double their donation to provide $600 worth of much-needed personal care items for the Homeless Connect event at St. Alban Drop-in Centre.
“We have both lived in Richmond for many years and thought this would be a good way to help out the people who are less fortunate,” said Flo, 66.
Together, the sisters used their accumulated customer rewards at Shopper’s Drug Mart and Sears to underwrite purchases such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, underwear and socks.
And when they dipped into their rewards points at Shopper’s Drug Mart Flo and Sandi waited for the extra discount on seniors’ day to buy many of the toiletries.
At Value Village, they used a 30 per cent discount they received for donating items to purchase cold weather clothing – toques and mittens.
And their Sears points were cashed in to get brand new underwear and socks.
Flo said she and Sandi are pretty keen consumers — always trying to find the best deals, while at the same time taking advantage of reward points — but didn’t have an immediate plan of how they were going to use them.
“But when we read a recent story in the Richmond Newsabout the need for those things for the local homeless, we decided we could help out,” Flo said.
“Those points, they just accumulate and are useless if you allow them just to sit there,” she added. “But after reading about the need out there, especially at this time of year, we found a way of making them benefit people who can use some help.”
The Homeless Connect event drew around 100 people this year, said Dianne Woodhouse, who helps coordinate the event, as well as the shower program for the homeless at St. Alban’s.
That total was about triple the 30 or so who turned out last year.
Woodhouse said the marked increase is owed mainly to increased outreach efforts that made connections with Richmond’s homeless community. She also praised all of the donations for the event, especially the creative way the Knapp sisters were able to maximize their input.
For Flo and Sandi, they plan on continuing their savvy shopping ways and are looking forward to seeing what they can donate next year.
