Six things we need that you never thought about donating ...

6 things you never thought about donating

 

A little perspective on things that are needed

 along the way as we serve those in need.

 

Usually when people are thinking about sending donations, they think of things that those in need, served by the charity, can use. (And which are always needed and appreciated).

 

Rarely however, do most people think about what is needed in the daily routine of a nonprofit, volunteer, humanitarian organization that exists to provide the service to the end recipient.

 

In a sense, it is like giving some toys to a charity to be passed on to the children that charity serves. But what if the charity does not have the staff, facilities, vehicles, fuel to deliver the toys? The “system” that is needed to help those in need has its own needs.  Saying this another way, “it takes money to give things away.”

 

Volunteers, even though they are not being paid, also need to eat, be kept warm, go to the bathroom, be insured, have a place to work, and a way to get there. It is probably just like your home or office, so some of the things that we don’t think about donating, and for which the volunteer organization has to spend its cash contributions to continue functioning, include:

·  toiletry items (toilet paper, soap, etc.)

·  kitchen items (paper towels, dish washing soap, cleaners)

·  cleaning supplies (laundry soap, bleach, rug spot remover, disinfectant cleaners)

·  break room (coffee, tea, filters, napkins and condiments)

·  office supplies: (printing of business cards/stationary/brochures, ink & paper for printers/copier, long distance phone cards, yellow legal pads, postage)

·  vehicles (gasoline cards for transportation, insurance, tires & maintenance for vehicles transporting volunteers)

 

And, yes, a tax-deductible receipt can be provided to you for the exact or fair market value of these items.

 

Please don’t think that any usable donation is not important.

 

The daily living items for volunteers and items for the office help us save the funds we receive for other activities.

 

So, thanks for getting a box or envelope and sending “routine things”  to:

Our Family Orphan Communities, Inc.

P O Box 906

Alamosa, CO 81101-0906

     

If your item is too big to mail, contact us at donations(at)orphancommunities.org