Most people celebrate milestone birthdays with extravagant dinners, lively parties, or perhaps a weekend getaway. But Samantha Greene had a different plan. At 29, she set an ambitious goal: to feed 30,000 individuals before hitting the big 3-0. And she tackled this mission in a truly creative way—through extreme couponing.
When we first introduced you to Greene last fall, she had already distributed 5,000 meals across New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and nearby areas, all made possible by her knack for clipping coupons and buying in bulk. “After I snagged 50 jars of pasta sauce and 100 boxes of spaghetti for FREE, I knew I could make a real impact,” she shared with a smile.
Fast forward to now, and Greene has officially reached her goal of feeding 30,000 people—all before her 30th birthday in September. “I’m going to keep this going—who knows how high the number could climb? Maybe even 300,000!” she exclaimed.
Greene’s mission is powered by her organization, Caring for Others, which she founded to provide food and essential items to those experiencing homelessness. She and her team have been traveling along the east coast, delivering meals to unsheltered individuals, shelters, and various community programs. They’ve also provided uncooked meals for families, weekend meal bags for school children, and even hosted a fun green eggs and ham celebration for preschoolers in tribute to Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
The inspiration for Caring for Others and her birthday goal came from her grandmother. “My grandma always taught us to help and love others,” Greene said. “I know she’d want me to keep her legacy alive.” Despite achieving her initial goal, Greene is just getting started. She’s launching a new initiative called Rise Above Poverty, aimed at educating individuals on how to escape the poverty line by making the most of community resources and couponing strategies.
With help from family, friends, and supporters worldwide, Greene often has a little helper by her side—her six-year-old son. “He’s blossomed into quite the little humanitarian,” she said. “He’s learning that helping others is part of everyday life and the importance of not wasting food. Plus, he’s picked up a love for couponing!”
In a world filled with disheartening news, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder, “What can I do to help?” Greene is living proof that every small effort counts. A coupon here, a coupon there, and before you know it, you’ve fed over 30,000 people. Now that’s what we call inspirational!
“Write down your vision and stick to it,” Greene advises. “And don’t stop until you achieve your goal.”
Summary
Samantha Greene, at 29, set out to feed 30,000 people before her 30th birthday using extreme couponing. Through her organization, Caring for Others, she has provided meals to a variety of individuals in need, inspired by her grandmother’s legacy. With plans to continue her efforts and educate others on overcoming poverty, Greene exemplifies how small actions can lead to significant change.