Baking-ingredient bargains for giving season

‘Tis the season of charitable contributions, and there is surely great need everywhere, in light of the natural disasters that have affected so many parts of the world in 2005.

If you also want to help out your community, one of the best ways is for your family to adopt a local organization and cater to its specific needs. Perhaps it’s a women and children’s shelter that needs clothing, or an animal adoption network that needs pet food and bedding.

Sometimes it’s easier to gather supplies or recruit services from local merchants when they know exactly who will be benefiting from the efforts. Giving your own time toward a project is especially rewarding when you can see the direct results of your work.

Here are this week’s coupon savings in baking-related items:

• Save $1 on any Glad food-storage item with purchase of two packages of Nestle refrigerated cookie dough. Expires Dec. 31.

• Save 50 cents on any flavor of Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowl, which can be made in the microwave in minutes. Expires Jan. 8.

•Betty Crocker also has a 50-cent coupon on any two cookie mixes, cake mixes or cans of frosting, any variety. Expires Jan. 8.

•Save 75 cents on any Bisquick original or Heart Smart baking mixes, 40 oz. or larger. Expires Jan. 8.

•Save 75 cents on any Pyrex baking dish. Expires Dec. 31.

•Solo offers a 50-cent coupon on any paper or plastic product. Expires Jan. 31.

•Save 50 cents on any Hefty EZ Ovenware casserole pans. Expires March 31.

Wonder how to find the coupons mentioned in Coupon Cutter? Check coupon circulars in newspapers and the bulletin board at your grocery store. Also look for coupons in displays scattered throughout the store.

Ask the store manager if you’re looking for a particular coupon. Often a grocery store will honor the price break even if the coupon is from a competing store or pharmacy chain.