Jefferson City church members clip coupons for the needy

Parishioners at Trinity Lutheran Church are clipping coupons to feed the poor.

The church says the poor need help now more than ever after the federal cuts on the food stamp program last week.

Benefits for 47 million Americans have been slashed, meaning a family of four will now receive about $36 less a month.

The ministry started in April this year when a group of women at the church decided to use their couponing hobby to increase donations to a local food bank, the Samaritan Center.

So far, the ministry has spent almost $1,000 and saved around $6,000 buying almost 5,000 items.

“We’ve always been active with the Samaritan Center here in Jefferson City,” Pastor Sam Powell said. “There was a desire to do more. We know that with the economy and with everything, it has been very difficult for families.”

The goal of the group is to buy $10,000 worth of items for the Samaritan Center by Christmas.

“We are very thankful to get food in the pantry. There’s always a need. As of right now, we are having an increase in people that are needing food, so it’s definitely a great help to us,” said Denise Kuensting of the Samaritan Center.

The church says it is accepting monetary and coupon donations for its couponing ministry. You can drop them off at the church or email churchoffice@trinityjc.org for more information.