An avid couponer blesses her community

When Jessica Law began couponing in 2018, she had no idea that in 2020, a devastating pandemic would sweep the globe and ultimately result in a shortage of supplies—including some that were desperately needed to slow the spread of the life-threatening virus. Many items that others were in need of, but could not find, Law had in stock, and a recent divine encounter led her to take her overflow and share it with perfect strangers.

“I felt like God was speaking to my heart,” she said. “I’ve been blessed not to have to suffer during this time of COVID-19. I never had to search for tissue, Lysol wipes or hand sanitizer. Because I’m an avid couponer,” Law explained, “I already had this stuff before the pandemic hit.”

It’s no secret that many individuals and businesses took advantage of the world’s shortages on supplies. In numerous areas, store prices skyrocketed on essential goods, and unlike Law, many individuals who were fortunate enough to have a stock of them, tagged the items with unreasonable prices and posted them online for sale.

Law described herself as a giving person who enjoys helping others, and her actions proved that in her selfless efforts on Saturday. “My thing is not to coupon for income,” she stated, “but to be a blessing to somebody else that may not have access to the things I’m able to get through my resources.”

Joined by three other area business owners that came to support her project, Law distributed “Essential Items” bags filled with face masks, hand sanitizer, tissue, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more. Food items, snacks and water were also available for all. With the help of Leon Jackson (of Jackson Auto Care and also DND Bins Cleaning Services), Renotto Solomon (of RS2 Logistics) and Eric Hobes (of H&S Enterprises), Law was able to give away a total of 100 bags.

“I’m grateful that they came out and helped me. This was pretty short notice. I pulled all of this together in two weeks,” Law said with a laugh. “Originally, it was supposed to be for the homeless population, but we opened it up to the public because it wasn’t going to be right to have anyone to come up and ask for a bag and we tell them they can’t have one.”

Law and her team gathered near Tony’s Pawn Shop on North Davis Drive in Warner Robins for Saturday’s distribution. A few days ahead of the supply giveaway, a television news station had provided a bit of coverage, and Solomon, who Law shared, works with the housing authority, reached out to his Facebook followers and Warner Robins City Council to help spread the word.

“Councilman Larry Curtis actually came out to show support,” Law shared. “I was really thankful for that too.”

From the parking lot area where they were set up, 65 bags were given out to random citizens who stopped by to grab the much-needed items. The other 35, Law and her team took to Memorial Terrace, a nearby housing project, and presented them to residents in need who lived there.

In digging deeper into her story, it was discovered that all of the goodies that were given away didn’t come by way of discount couponing. Law had, in fact, reached into her pockets and went on the internet to place bulk orders for additional supplies that she felt people would need as well.

“There were some things I wanted to include that I didn’t have,” she admitted. “I was glad to be able to find them online. I couldn’t have done it without Amazon. I need to buy them a card or something,” Law said through laughter. “When it came to the sanitizer, the disposable washcloths and the deodorant—I ordered all of that in bulk from Amazon.”

This was Law’s first time distributing bags of essentials to the community, but she said it won’t be her last.

“I want to do it again around Thanksgiving,” she later commented. “Next time, it will probably be in Perry instead of Warner Robins. When I do it, I just want to be sure I’m going wherever there’s a need.”

Regarding Saturday’s event, Law said, “I just feel like I wasn’t blessed with all this to keep it all to myself. I’m blessed to be a blessing, and I wanted to share with others. There are people who can’t afford the things that I am able to give away,” she concluded. “I couldn’t take that for granted. I especially wanted to bless them.”

HHJ News