Casselberry coupon guru helps pay it forward with donations

CASSELBERRY, Fla. — A Seminole County man is taking extreme couponing to a new level, spending thousands of his own money to feed local elementary school kids.

Channel 9's Deneige Broom was there Monday as Rick Baer showed others how they can do the same while saving.

"Normally sells for $5.49," Baer said while holding up a product. "I paid 48 cents for it."

Baer, known as the coupon guy, shops for hours to get the best deals.

On a normal day, Baer's truck is full and the backseat is loaded with food to drop off."

"He's a super guy," said Jerald Jordan of the Casselberry Police Department. "He's an integral part of our program, helping to feed these children."

A lot of the groceries Baer buys, he donates. Last year, he spent more than $2,000 out of pocket. With that money, he got more than $10,000 worth of food and household products to drop off at the Casselberry Police Department.

The department and other community members then help stock the shelves at The Care Cabin on the Casselberry Elementary School campus.

LINK: The Care Cabin

Families and students in need can go to the portable lined with cans and frozen meat.

"Without that, we wouldn't have this to give to our parents and our children," said Pam Metzger of Casselberry Elementary.

Out of the school's 700 students, 100 don't have a permanent home, and 65 percent receive free or reduced lunch.

"I'm just paying it forward," said Baer.

Casselberry police now have a drop box in the police station where others can donate coupons.

WFTV