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INDIANAPOLIS — A local group of women are using their couponing skills to help keep the pantries of Hoosier families in need stocked.
Clipping coupons is a way of life for the Dotted Line Divas and they're using their skills to help others.
Christina Huffines started extreme couponing with a personal agenda, before realizing she could do it help others.
"I was a family in need going to food pantries and realized I couldn't get laundry soap, toilet paper, those kinds of items at most food pantries so I just started couponing," Huffines said "I am one of those crazy couponers and I learned that I can get toothpaste and some other items for free. So I got a little obsessed with it."
Her obsession became the start of her couponing for a cause. She founded Dotted Line Divas five years ago.
"Families get everything free, they don't pay anything to get the items," Huffines said. "Pretty much they just have to show up."
Every family that comes to the pantry on the third Saturday of the month, will receive a supply of toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body soap, cleaning supplies, laundry soap, toilet paper, feminine products, as well as diapers and wipes for families with infants.
While it is usually a walk-in pantry, because of COVID-19 restrictions, the non-profit pivoted to a drive-thru pantry to continue to serve those who need their services more than ever before. Dotted Line Divas has been serving 100 families every month, but they have the capacity to serve another hundred with these necessary grocery and household items.
"We are still offering the same services, we are, instead of families coming in, signing in checking in, to get the items they need," Huffines said. "They are just pulling up, lining up in a line and we take a picture of their photo ID and they get a bag of the same items."
Amanda Mobley is also a part of the Dotted Line Divas, she says this service is serving an even greater purpose as so many members in our community struggle due to the pandemic.
Their services are more than a stocked pantry at home, but will help Hoosier families rebound successfully to a new normal.
"With providing personal care and hygiene products, we are really focusing on meeting a basic need for people to have dignity and self worth in that area," said Amanda Mobley, the president of Dotted Line Divas. "We want people to be as healthy as they possibly can so when you have good oral hygiene and you are taking care of your body, you are able to perform well at work, you are able to show up the best you possibly can. So when that basic need is met, we feel like people are able to participate in other areas of their life well."
Dotted Line Divas stocks its pantry through couponing and the help of partner organizations and monthly donors.
Huffines says they are accepting volunteers to help with stocking and the passing out packaged bags on pantry days.
Families in need are welcomed to stop by the Dotted Line Divas drive-thru pantry every third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at Mercy Road Church Northwest, near 96th and Michigan Road in Indianapolis.
More information on Dotted Line Divas, you can visit its website.
