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CitiIMPACT

Disaster Product Collection

In times of disasters, both in the USA and internationally, there are many ways you can help, right from your area. This is important as nearly everyone can be part of bringing HOPE and HELP.

Disaster Product Collection (NEW and USED)

Thanks for engaging in this meaningful initiative which is a win-win for all involved during times of disasters. (and many other times)

  • Micro-enterprise is hardly a new concept in developing nations. It may sound like a fancy name, but for many families in countries such as Haiti, Liberia, and India it means “Hope”. Folks struggling to survive will receive the shoes and clothing that you are collecting. They will sort it and resell it. These items in many cases represent the only chance at true sustainability (becoming independent vs. dependent on foreign aid).
  • Funds we recover for these items will go towards the high cost of shipping much needed supplies (some of you are also helping to collect new palletized items) to the Philippines as example, and other disaster zones too in the USA.
  • Environmentally Friendly – keeps used items out of landfills. Big plus for those of you who have served in disaster zones and know the insane amount of clothes that bogs the system and ultimately ends up being dumped.
  • Good for You – Highlights your church, ministry, or business as one who has a global concern. You are giving people in your community the opportunity to give back. We are especially amazed at the many who are “paying it forward” after being served by CitiIMPACT in disaster zones in the past.

I. How to get started:

First you need to email toni@citiimpact.org with all of your details. She needs to know:

  • Contact who will be in charge in your venue (name, email, phone)
  • Address to drop semi or container
  • Amount you are committing to obtain within 2-3 week period (At least ½ semi). Can have multiple semis dropped in area or more later if expectations are exceeded.
  • Can you get enough shoes for their own container or will it be mixed in with used clothing?
  • Will you be collecting new palletized items (food, hygiene, new clothing) as well?
  • After above is received and all your questions answered, Toni will send you a brief MOU to be signed by responsible party.

Consider how you will “Market” this initiative. Specific ideas will follow. Keep in mind:

  • Banners, print, and media messages need to be approved by CitiIMPACT.
  • Please co-brand initiative, For example: “Boston Rotary in partnership with CitiIMPACT to Help Philippines”. We will send you a usable copy of our logo

II. How To:

  • Place the paired shoes in 33 gallon heavy duty plastic bags with 25 pairs each. Tie the bags once filled and place in the truck or container.
  • Place the clothing in 33 gallon heavy duty plastic bags until filled. Tie the bags once filled and place in the truck.
  • Stack the bags from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, pack tight and fill full front to back
  • The goal is to fill the trailer with as much as possible, no need to sort the bagged shoes and bagged clothing, just stack high and tight.
  • Clothing and shoes must be kept dry.
  • Secure the trailer overnight.

Once container is full, contact Toni to arrange for trailer to be picked up. Great!

III. How to engage a church:

  • Engage and get buy in. Set Goals. People will associate your church with a positive community event. Members should engage businesses, schools, and clubs.
  • Set kickoff event date and end date with Church.
  • Put trailer or container in visible places in community with banners and contact info. (Trailer must be manned to make sure packed correctly and secured.)
  • Use bulletin inserts and/or an email blast to members.
  • Ask members to engage their businesses, schools, and clubs.
  • Barefoot Sunday. Members step out of their shoes at some point during service and leave them there, to see what it is like to be without shoes. Give them notice obviously.
  • Give collection bags as members exit service and ask for a minimum of 25 pairs per bag or a full bag of clothes.
  • This is a way for members to engage in good will towards their neighbors, co-workers and others that they may know.
  • Engage the youth to participate by having them collect. If the youth attend different schools you can create a friendly competition within the church. Perhaps the middle school youth group could compete against the high school group.
  • Members of the church can engage their own neighborhoods. They do this by placing a flier or door hanger on their neighbor’s doors and the member can have a collection box on their porch for any collected shoes/clothes.
  • If you don’t have a lot of youth, reach out to a Boy or Girl Scout Troop as they look for community service projects. Contact them to help you bag, move and/or collect shoes/clothes.
  • You may also contact a juvenile offender program, as they are sometime required to do community service and have them help bag, move and/or collect shoes/clothes.

IV. How to engage a business:

  • Think about local businesses, clothing stores, the gym, the hardware store, the bank, car dealerships, even schools.
  • Ask if they would be willing to have a collection box at their location(s).
  • Suggest they run a friendly competition to see which employee can bring in the most gently worn shoes/clothes.
  • Explain that their participation gives them publicity as a sponsor on your website/social media. Keep event alive through social media outlets. (youth are helpful here!)
  • The collection boxes draw traffic to their business, possibly resulting in new business.
  • Participation shows you care for the community and globally.
  • Offer patrons a discount on purchases or admission to events for those that bring gently worn shoes/clothes.
  • Send out an email list to their client list with your event information.
  • Plan a kick-off event coordinated with a local business, such as a BBQ at a car dealership in conjunction with any type of promotion that they are running.
  • Offer to promote their business on your website and/or social media as a sponsor and drop off location.

V. NEW Product Collection for Philippines, or other disasters USA & international

We can pick-up new products if you can meet the following guidelines:

  • Like products should be boxed, palletized, and shrink wrapped. You can find the necessary items online, such as this shrink wrap gun for proper packaging.
  • Need 26 pallets for a semi to pick up, we can’t pick up less than this due to economics; unless you are really close to a disaster zone.
  • (we’ll give you more specific dimensions for loading the pallets)
  • Need access to pallet jack
  • Must raise minimum of $2,500 to cover shipping per semi to warehouse or port, we will cover the cost from there to Philippines. However, if you are able to raise $10,000 to get it port to port we would obviously be quite appreciative. (This is only for new product, no funds are required for used clothing/shoes.)
  • List of like products that you can collect and palletize separately:
    1. Non-Perishable Food: PULL TOP canned vegetables, fruits etc.; ready to eat dry goods such as nuts, peanut butter, dried fruits, granola and trail mixes, jerkies, ready to eat snacks; bottled water; ready- to-eat meals or MREs etc.
    2. Personal Care Products: Antibacterial soap, some sort of Hand Sanitizer Canada bottles (or other brands), toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion etc.
    3. Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred).
    4. Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels etc.
    5. Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion etc.
    6. First-Aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs etc.
    7. Tarps

Email: toni@citiimpact.org

Office: 704-507-6579