Gifts In Kind (GIK) Guidelines

Transcription

1 Bringing Hope and Help to Those In Need Gifts In Kind (GIK) Guidelines Revised Fawn Grove Road, Pylesville, MD Page 1 of 9

2 5300 Fawn Grove Rd, Pylesville, MD Bringing Hope and Help to Those in Need GIK PACKING GUIDELINES For CLOTHING and SOFT HOUSEHOLD GOODS What is GIK? Gifts in kind (GIK) is a kind of charitable givingg in which, instead of giving money to buy needed goods and services, the goods and services themselves are given. As Christians, we give because sharing with those in need is at the core of the Gospel. Please remember that the contents of these boxes reflect the love of Christ to those in need around the world. At FGCC we believe that God gave His very best to us in His Son Jesus Christ. We can do no less than to give our very best to others in Jesus name. So please take extra care to make sure the used clothing and other goods you donate are CLEAN (OR HAS BEEN LAUNDERED) WITH NO STAINS OR SOILS, IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO TEARS, HOLES OR FRAYS, AND PACKED IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX. WHY DO WE DO THIS? FGCC has been involved in bringing hope and help to those in need both here in the States and around the world since 1992 because we believe God has called us to serve those who need help in response to crisis, the aftermath of disaster or extreme or extended poverty. Most often, GIK provides more immediate assistance and the love of Christ to help people through until more long-term resources can be made available. GIK is one very important part of a broader realm of ministry and assistance to those in need. OUR GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED! PLEASE STUDY THIS BOOKLET CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THESE NEW GUIDELINES. We have recently reviewed and updated our guidelines to meet changing requirements around the world. Standards are different in every country that our goods are shipped to so we work diligently to be sure our goods can meet the most stringent clearances. Things that may be acceptable here may not be in other world areas. WHERE TO GET CLOTHING Ask your church family to clean out their closets. Encourage your church family to ask their neighbors and relatives to contribute clothing. Place a classified ad in your local/daily/weekly newspaper. Place an announcement on an Internet bulletin board. Write a news article about your clothing project and your church s involvement in Nazarene Compassionate Ministries through Fawn Grove Compassion Center. Go to yard sales often clothing can be purchased for very little cost. Ask those conducting the yard sales if they would donate left over clothing at the end of the day. Then make sure you are there to pick up the items. Check with consignment shops to see if they would donate leftover or surplus clothing. Many will, especially at the end of seasons - March for winter clothing, September for spring and summer clothing. Check with managers of local department stores to see if leftover or discontinued clothing could be donated. Explain about our ministry and the needs it helps to meet. If they require proof that we are a legitimate non-profit relief agency, call our office at or us at: office@fawngrovecc.org Page 2 of 9

3 PLEASE USE ONLY BANANA BOXES We use banana boxes because they are sturdy and fit uniformly and tightly in the shipping containers. In many world areas the banana boxes we ship goods in are reused for storage and other purposes by those who receive our goods. To prepare your banana box, remove any plastic, thin paper or debris. Take the large, stiff brown paper in the banana box and cut it into 3 pieces place one piece on the bottom to cover the bottom opening and one piece on the top before you close the box. The extra piece can be saved and used if you come acrosss a box without the brown paper. If you have difficulty obtaining banana boxes, pack clothing in similar size boxes. The warehouse has a supply of banana boxes on hand HOW TO SORT CLOTHING CLEANLINESS AND CONDITION ARE MOST IMPORTANT All clothing MUST BE CLEAN, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO STAINS, SOILS, DISCOLORATIONS, PAINT OR BLEACH SPLATTERS. If you aren t sure about the level of cleanliness a good way to judge would be to ask yourself this question: Would I wear this garment myself in the condition I am including it in this box? If you would not wear it as is and without laundering, it is probably not clean enough to send. All clothing MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH ABSOLUTELY NO TEARS, FRAYS, HOLES OR RIPS OF ANY SIZE, NO MISSING BUTTONS OR OTHER FASTENERS, ZIPPERS MUST WORK, ETC. Remember, all clothing should have at least one year of wear left. We do not take the attitude that someone in need would be satisfied with our junk or trash. We care about the dignity of those receiving assistance and want to provide the very best we can. SEE THE PICTURE SECTION AT THE END OF THIS BOOKLET FOR EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO SEND. ALL PRICE TAGS MUST BE REMOVED!! Because the clothing we send is identified as used clothing, it is vitally important that no price tags are left on any item or garment. If a garment is used but has a price tag attached from a consignment shop, yard sale, etc, it will be treated as new clothing by the customs officials of other countries and an entirely different set of standards will be applied, including fees and tariffs. So, remove any price tag or laundry/dry cleaning tags. Do not remove size tags. FIRST SORT CLOTHING INTO TWO CATEGORIES Lightweight/Summer and Heavyweight/Winter It is crucial to keep lightweight and heavyweight clothing in separate boxes because we don t want to send winter coats, turtlenecks, wool socks etc. to warm-climate countries. It may be helpful to line up the banana boxes for lightweight clothing on one table or side of the room and line up boxes for heavyweight clothing on another table or other side of the room. It is also helpful to keep a designated place for unsuitable clothing, rags, or clothes that need laundering, etc. Lightweight (summer) clothing is suitable for warmer temperatures and includes items such as short-sleeve shirts, blouses, t-shirts, short-sleeved dresses, lightweight sweaters, nightgowns, unlined jackets, ties, scarves, etc. Shorts may be included for men and children. Lightweight slacks, shorts and capris for women MUST be packed separately. Follow additional guidelines below for these items. Underwear may be included but it MUST be in like-new condition with absolutely NO discolorations. It is permissible to include new underwear as long as it has been removed from packaging and laundered before packing. Heavyweight (winter) clothing is suitable for colder temperatures and includes items such as sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants, turtleneck shirts, jackets, long sleeve shirts, blouses, heavier-weight fabrics such as corduroys, wools, heavy socks, gloves, hats, winter scarves, etc. (Heavyweight clothing are items you would NOT want to wear in the summer without air conditioning.) Page 3 of 9

4 Because of cultural differences in other world areas no lightweight slacks or summer shorts may be packed in women s lightweight boxes. These must be packed separately and labeled small women s shorts, large women s shorts, small women s slacks, large women s slacks) Items that can be included into either lightweight or heavyweight category: Lightweight unlined jackets, thin or lightweight sweaters, men s neckties, white dress shirts (for National pastors and others), men s & women s suits. Follow additional guidelines for women s short sets/pantsuits. Underwear and bras may be included but they MUST be in like-new condition with absolutely NO discolorations. It is permissible to include new underwear as long as it has been removed from packaging and laundered before packing. Do NOT pack clothing items with Christian slogans, Scripture verses, cross or other Christian symbols in with the regular clothing boxes. These items are not welcome in some world areas. Pack these items separately in boxes labeled WITNESS WEAR ABSOLUTELY NOT PERMITTED According to U.S. Custom guidelines, we cannot send any of the following items: NO camouflage clothing items of any kind, NO clothing with any military (US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, etc) wording or insignias/emblems. FGCC also restricts the following: NO clothing or items with American Flags or the words America, USA, etc. These items are not welcomed in some other countries. (This does not apply to the clothing tag that might say made in USA. ) NO see- tops, low-cut tops with through items, cut-offs or short-shorts, low-cut shirts, or any kind of immodest clothing including strapless spaghetti straps, etc. NO shirts with questionable messages, liquor or tobacco advertisements on them, no clothing with skulls, devils/evil-type symbols, guns, or violence, etc. Remember that we are donating clothing in the name of Jesus. PACK CLOTHING ACCORDING TO SIZE You will be able to find sizes on most clothing other clothing you will have to use an educated guess! small to you it probably means a large girl and not a large women. If it says Large and looks Please do not pack according to clothing item, but mix clothing items together. Example: Do not pack a box with all jeans or all sweaters, etc. It is important for the recipients to have a variety of clothing items to choose from. A note about sizes larger than 2XL in most other world areas people are not large enough to wear clothing larger than 2XL sizes. We do not want to send goods that are not useful to those in need, so we do not send those larger sizes. Tip: If you can t decide if it s a man or a woman s shirt, women s blouses/shirts button on the left as worn, men s shirts button on the right as worn. Tip: Roll the clothing as tightly and as neatly as possible so we get as many pieces of clothing as possible in the box. Pack the boxes full and tightly but not so much that the top willl not fit snugly. If you find you have small pockets of space in a box, use socks or underwear, etc, to fill those spaces. It is much more cost efficient to ship boxes tightly and completely filled than to ship boxes of air! SIZE AND GENDER CATEGORIES Infant Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter Birth to 24 months, boys and girls together (You may include NEW disposable diapers, cloth diapers and diaper pins.) Toddler Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter 2T to 4T, boys and girls together Girl s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer Size 5 through teen sizes Boy s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer Size 5 through teen sizes Small Women s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter Ladies petite sizes up to and including regular women size 12. No shorts or lightweight slacks in the lightweight/summer boxes. NO swimwear or bathing suits of any kind Page 4 of 9 or heavyweight/winter or heavyweight/winter

5 Large Women s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter Ladies size 14 to 2XL (do not include sizes larger than 2XL) No shorts or lightweight slacks in the lightweight/summer boxes. NO swimwear or bathing suits of any kind Small Men s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter Men s sizes: up to 15 ½ size shirt; up to 34-sized pants Large Men s Clothing sort by lightweight/summer or heavyweight/winter Suit Size 36 and up; Shirt size 16 and up; pants size 36 and up to 2XL (note: do not include sizes larger than 2XL) Maternity Clothing All sizes packed together but sorted by lightweight/summer and heavyweight/winter Women s Shorts, Capris and Crop Pants includes lightweight shorts sets and short pants pajamaa sets. Any lightweight slacks that show the ankle when worn should be included in this category. Small/Medium in one box, Large/XL sizes in one box, nothing larger than 2XL Women s Lightweight/Summer Slacks includes lightweight ladies pantsuits and long pants pajamaa sets Small/Medium in one box, Large/XL sizes in one box, nothing larger than 2XL Ladies and Girls Swimwear -- pack all sizess together ONLY one piece swimsuits NO two piece swimsuits Pack Lightweight/Summer and Heavyweight/Winter sizes in separate boxes. Do not mix lightweight and heavyweight items in the same box. WHAT IF YOU DON T HAVE ENOUGH ITEMS TO FILL A BOX??? Don t worry. If you don t have enough of one type of clothing, {example: Small Women Lightweight (Summer) Clothing}, put what you have in the box and label SM. Women Lt. (NOT FULL). Or if you don t want to pay to send a partial box, fill the box with mixed clothing and label it MIXED Clothing so we know to repack when it arrives at the warehouse. The warehouse has clothing on hand to fill the box. Do the same with all the other categories and items. If you don t have enough to fill the box, just mark it accordingly and labell NOT FULL or PARTIAL. The volunteers at the warehouse will fill the box. OTHER ITEMS TO BE PACKED SEPARATELY All items must be must be clean, with absolutely no stains, soils, discolorations, or bleach splatters. All items must be in good condition with absolutely no tears, frays, holes or rips of any size. SINGLE AND DOUBLE BLANKETS TOGETHER IN ONE BOX Marked BLANKETS AFGHANS crocheted, knitted or woven BABY BLANKETS may be all types together (crocheted, knitted, quilted, etc) SINGLE SHEETS AND PILLOWCASES -- Marked SINGLE SHEETS DOUBLE SHEETS AND PILLOWCASESS -- Marked DOUBLE SHEETS TOWELS (washcloths, dishtowels, bath towels, etc.) BED PILLOWS (must be clean, in like-new condition, with no spots, stains, soils, etc) THROW PILLOWS TABLE LINENS table cloths, fabric napkins, fabric placemats, fabric runners, etc FABRIC new or used. Used fabrics should be clean and stain free. SEWING SUPPLIES (Patterns, thread, needles and buttons, etc.) YARN (Yarn, crochet needles, knitting needles) BABY ACCESSORIES (crib sets, diaper bags, bottles, teething supplies, towels and washcloths, etc.) Page 5 of 9

6 POCKETBOOKS OR PURSES, WALLETS, CHANGE PURSES -- Marked POCKETBOOKS BACKPACKS -- all sizes together BOOKBAGS (tote bags, soft briefcase-type bags, etc) SHOES (including warm slippers ) DO NOT pack SHOES together with clothing. BELTS (not attached to clothing) WEDDING GOWNS WITNESS WEAR includes clothing items that have Christian slogans, Scripture verses, cross or other Christian symbols on them MEDICAL WEAR -- pack medical scrubs together and mark the box MEDICAL SCRUBS. Pack lab coats together and mark the box LAB COATS. TOYS (balls, blocks, stuffed toys, dolls, cars, trucks, etc) Toys must be clean and in good condition. -ONLY include puzzles if all the pieces are included. -Do not send books, board games or toys that need an electrical outlet. -No electronic games or devices. Remove batteries from any toys that are still usable without batteries. -No guns, GI-Joes, or military trucks, weapons, etc. OTHER ITEMS All other items that do not clearly fit into the categories above should be put together in a box and marked MIXED ITEMS. These will then be sorted at the warehouse. CRISIS CARE KITS (see additional pages at the end of this booklet for packing instructions) SCHOOL PAL PAKS (see additional pages at the end of this booklet for packing instructions) LABEL THE BOXES ACCORDINGLY It is crucial that items are placed in the appropriate box. The boxes go through customs in the U.S. and the country where it is sent. When inspected, if a box is found to include items other than what it says on the box the whole container can be confiscated and we will be fined! Each box must be clearly marked. It is extremely important that the box contents are correct and that the boxes are labeled correctly. DO NOT PUT ANY LITERATURE IN BOXES This is vitally important! Any literature, booklets, etc, found in boxes of goods may cause an entire shipment to be discarded! LABEL EACH BOX ACCORDING TO THE CONTENTS Here are some examples use separate boxes with labels for every category listed above. Small Men Heavyweight (Winter) Clothing Girls Lightweight (Summer) Clothing Infants Heavyweight (Winter) Clothing Small Women Lightweight (Summer) Slacks Large Women Lightweight (Summer) Clothing Boys Heavyweight (Winter) Clothing Toddlers Lightweight (Summer) Clothing Large Women Shorts Shoes Blankets Page 6 of 9

7 SHIPPING and HANDLING COSTS FGCC is completely donor funded. To help cover the cost of processing and shipping, send $8.00 per box for clothing boxes, blankets, shoes, fabric, toys, etc. to: Make check payable to: FAWN GROVE COMPASSION CENTER, INC Mail payment to: Fawn Grove Compassion Center, Inc Fawn Grove Road Pylesville, MD Include the name and address of your church with the check. HOW CAN YOU RAISE THE FUNDS TO PAY THE SHIPPING COSTS PER BOX Have a line item in your NMI budget. Receive a special offering. Have fundraisers to cover cost. This would be a great project for teens. Strongly encourage your church family to share the need with friends, neighbors, and relatives outside of the church. Ask for donations from businesses. Pass out Quarter Coin Collectors (most hold $10.00) DELIVERING CLOTHING TO WAREHOUSE -If you are personally delivering the boxes to the warehouse DO NOT TAPE BOXES SHUT. -If you are mailing or shipping the boxes YOU MUST TAPE BOXES SHUT. You can ship in many different ways. Some examples are: United States Postal Service United Parcel Service (UPS) Federal Express Freight Companies (check for reduced rates) Personal Delivery Local district churches can partner to deliver the boxes to the warehouse. Mailing address for shipping via the U.S. Postal Service Physical location for shipping via UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.: Nazarene Relief Shipments Nazarene Relief Shipments PO Box Fawn Grove Road Fawn Grove, PA Pylesville, MD If you have questions or when in doubt about anything, call the FGCC office and the individuals there can assist you. Or you may call John Borgal direct on his cell. OFFICE: J BORGAL CELL: office@fawngrovecc.org Page 7 of 9

8 EXAMPLES OF POOR CONDITION AND DIRTY CLOTHING/SHOES DO NOT SEND! Undershirt which is yellowed/discolored Undershirt which has stains/discoloration under the armpits Paint smear on shirt front and stains on sleeves Decorative T-shirt which is very dirty and has small holes White sneakers which are stained and dirty. Also, there are no shoelaces Page 8 of 9

9 EXAMPLES OF POOR CONDITION AND DIRTY CLOTHING/SHOES DO NOT SEND! Frayed hole in side seam near the top of the right hand pocket Frayed cuffs Frayed hole in knee Cuts and frays in pants legs. Page 9 of 9

10 1. Gather NEW items in quantities listed below. Assemble Crisis Care Kits (CCKs) and seal the Ziploc bags. Include only those items listed below. Deviating from this list can cause an entire shipment to be rejected in customs. Set the CCKs in groups of six (6) to determine the number of banana boxes needed. 2. Pack contents below into a clear 2-gallon OR 2.5-gallon plastic Ziploc bag and seal: 1 medium-size bottle of shampoo (12-18 oz.) please tape flip-tops closed 1 fingernail clipper 1 sturdy hair comb 4 pocket-size packages of facial tissues 2 bars of soap (bath-size or larger) 1 Beanie Baby-size stuffed toy 2 hand towels 1 box of Band-Aids (30 or more) 1 medium toothpaste ( oz.) 3 toothbrushes (in original packaging) 3. Obtain the banana boxes from your local grocery store. Please ship CCKs solely in banana boxes, as they provide uniformity, eliminating wasted space in shipping. 4. Cut the heavy brown paper (usually found in the banana box) in half and place inside the bottom of the box. Tape the other half over the hole in the lid. (Plain cardboard may be used in the same way if your banana boxes are missing the paper.) 5. Fill each box with six (6) CCKs no more, no l less. 6. Do not insert money or literature (including anything with the church s name on it, notes, etc.) in the CCKs or banana boxes. 7. Using strong packing tape, cover all holes in the top and the bottom of the box. Then tape the box securely shut. Please leave box handles open; this makes it easier to load and unload. 8. When addressing the box, please put the name and address of the church (or individual donor) on the box in the From section and the address of the warehouse in the To section. 9. Do not wrap banana boxes in brown paper or contact paper or put filled banana boxes inside another box. 10. Send the boxes to the following (depending on method of shipping or originating location): For Shipping via the Postal Service: For Shipping Other than Postal Service: Nazarene Relief Shipments Nazarene Relief Shipments P.O. Box Fawn Grove Road Fawn Grove, PA Pylesville, MD Send a check made payable to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene in the amount of $12.00 per banana box (for storage and shipping costs during the distribution process). Include the name and address of your church with the check. Ten Percent Credit will be allowed for the $12.00 shipping donation only. Do not put the money in the CCKs or banana boxes. Mark the check, Nazarene Relief Shipments ACM1297, and mail to: Global Treasury Services PO Box Kansas City, MO Revised

11 1 Gather NEW items in quantities listed below. Assemble School Pal-Paks (SPPs) and seal the Ziploc bags. Include only those items listed below. Deviating from this list can cause an entire shipment to be rejected in customs. Set the SPPs in groups of ten (10) to determine the number of boxes needed. 2 Pack contents below in a clear 1-gallon Ziploc bag and seal: 2 composition notebooks (such as Mead brand), no larger than 9¾ x 7½. (No spiral-bound notebooks will be accepted.) 1 package of #2 pencils (quantity pencils) 1 package of black pens (quantity pens) 2 pink erasers, 2-3 long 2 rulers (6 or 12, with metric measurements) 1 package of colored pencils (quantity 12-15) 1 pair of blunt-nosed scissors 1 hand-held pencil sharpener These contents will give each student a notebook, 5-6 pencils, 5-6 pens, an eraser, and a ruler. Two students will share the colored pencils, scissors, and sharpener. 3 Obtain 12 x12 x12 boxes from any office supply store such as Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, or a UPS store. 4 Fill each box with 10 Pal-Paks no more, no less. 5 Do not insert money or literature (including anything with the church s name on it, notes, etc.) in the Pal-Paks or boxes. 6 Using strong packing tape, tape the box securely shut. 7 When addressing the box, please put the name and address of the church (or the individual donor) on the box in the From section and the address of the warehouse in the To section. 8 Do not wrap boxes in brown paper or contact paper or put filled boxes inside another box. 9 Send the boxes to the following (depending on method of shipping): For Shipping Via the Postal Service: For Shipping Other than Postal Service: Nazarene Relief Shipments Nazarene Relief Shipments PO Box Fawn Grove Road Fawn Grove, PA Pylesville, MD Send a check made payable to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene in the amount of $10.00 per box (for storage and shipping costs during the distribution process). Include the name and address of your church with the check. Ten Percent Credit will be allowed for the $10.00 shipping donation only. Do not put the money in the SPPs or boxes. Revised Mark the check, School Pal-Paks ACM1788, and mail to: Global Treasury Services PO Box Kansas City, MO