Here's a deal that will save you money AND help local charities at the same time.

Check out CommonKindness.com, a national coupon-printing site that offers consumers printable coupons and the opporunity to choose one or more local charities to receive donations on your behalf.

Even better, many of the coupons offered on this site are not typically seen in the weekly coupon inserts. If you're on the hunt for coupons on organic products, this site is definitely for you.

Jennifer Pierce, the founder of Share Our Shoes, has filed an appeal to restore the Raleigh shoe charity's state license to operate as a tax-exempt nonprofit.

Pierce, in a petition filed last week with the state Office of Administrative Hearings, contends the N.C. Secretary of State's office wrongfully pulled the nonprofit's license earlier this month. She said she submitted information proving that there was no misspending, and that she had reimbursed the charity for personal expenditures she made.

She also alleges in the petition that an investigator with the Secretary of State's office required her to take an test for alcohol use after she visited the office to deliver documents -- a test that she says showed no alcohol in her system -- and that he had her investigated by child protective services without proper justification.

George Jeter, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's office, said officials there would have no comment while the case is being appealed. The office revoked Share Our Shoes' license after determining that Pierce could not adequately document tens of thousands of dollars in expenditures ranging from meals to personal grooming that appeared to have little to do with the charity's stated mission.

Jennifer Pierce, the founder and president of the beleaguered charity Share Our Shoes, says she has left the organization just as state officials are weighing whether it should keep its operating license.

Whole Foods Market Raleigh invites customers to help feed families in need throughout the Triangle this holiday season.

Customers may donate breakfast, lunch, dinner or three square meals for a family of four to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, which will distribute the food to families across Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

The campaign began today and runs through New Year's Eve at Whole Foods' store at 3540 Wade Ave.

Early-bird shoppers at Belk have a chance at snagging a free gift card on Saturday while helping a worthy cause.

At 6 a.m., the retailer will be handing out 100 gift cards to the first 100 shoppers at each of its stores as part of Belk's Fall Charity Sale.

I've got a winner in the Bruegger's Bagels coupon booklet giveaway.

If you find yourself stopping by Bruegger's to pick up a bagel or coffee, consider purchasing the $3 coupon booklet the chain started selling this week.

Not only is it a pretty good deal with $20 worth of discounts inside, but it's for a good cause. Bruegger's is donating 100 percent of the proceeds to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.

I picked up two coupon booklets today - one for my family and one to give away here on the blog.

Progress Energy and its employees have pledged $3.3 million to be distributed to more than 1,000 charities in the Carolinas and Florida.

The Raleigh-based power company noted that the amount pledged is consistent with amounts donated over the past decade, despite economic booms and busts. This year, Progress employees are donating amid the uncertainty of their own jobs as the company looks to pare hundreds of positions, the consequence of a planned corporate merger with cross-state neighbor Duke Energy in Charlotte.

In Progress's employee pledging program, the company contributes 50 cents for every dollar employees give to charity. Thus in this year's pledged total, $2.2 million will come from employees and $1.1 million from the company.  The pledges were made this summer and donations will begin Jan. 1 through payroll deductions.

Employees can select from pre-approved charities or pick their own, as long as they are not churches or schools, Hughes said. Recipients in this area include Alzheimers Association of Eastern N.C., American Cancer Society, United Way, Meals on Wheels, Triangle Radio Reading Service and Urban Ministries.

"I think it’s telling that employees who have this much uncertainty about their own jobs actually pledged $20,000 more this year than last year," said Progress spokesman Mike Hughes. "We know there is an awful lot of need in the communities we serve."

Lots of CVS shoppers are reporting that the drugstore's coupon machine is printing out a $2/2 coupon on shampoo, conditioner and styling products this week.

There are lots of possibilities for this coupon. Since it's a store coupon, you can stack it with two manufacturer's coupons to make yourself a better deal on a favorite brand.

If you're interested in scoring a couple of freebies, check the travel section for trial size shampoo or conditioner.

Or you can pick up two full-size bottles of VO5, which is on sale this week for 82 cents each.

Even if you don't care for VO5 products, consider purchasing it for donation to your favorite charity.