Your Questions Answered
Q: Why does Samaritan’s Purse need an $8 donation for every shoe box?
A: The amount of $8 or more per shoe box (which is fully tax-deductible!) helps cover the shipping and program costs. It also helps to cover things like warehousing, transport, training programs for national teams in each one of the countries that receive the shoe boxes, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Most of the countries receiving boxes also need financial assistance to cover duties, importation costs and transport to enable the boxes to reach each child.
Q: Where will the shoe boxes be delivered?
A: The boxes received from Australia and New Zealand will be distributed in the Asia Pacific region, to countries including Cambodia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Worldwide, OCC boxes will be distributed in over 100 countries.
Q: What happens to the boxes that don’t have donations enclosed?
A: Because of the great need we are committed to sending every box that we receive. Last year however, the boxes that arrived without a donation had to be covered by other friends of Samaritan’s Purse. This was money that could have funded other vital projects such as water projects, education projects or HIV and AIDS projects. So thank you for understanding the crucial need to include this small gift with every shoe box!
Q: Why do I need to remove the packaging before I pack gifts into my box?
A: Most of the children who receive your boxes live in countries with limited or no waste management.
Q: Why can’t I pack lollies and toothpaste?
A: Due to customs restrictions anything perishable must be inspected which can delay the arrival of the boxes. These items can also spill or melt, ruining the other gifts in the box.
Ask your questions below.
August 10th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
How can I organise 10 Samaritan purse boxes.
I have enough items to pack 10 boxes. all I need is the boxes. Where will I drop them off.
regards
Diane
August 11th, 2009 at 3:31 am
I have always before, collected my boxes, free, from a lady at my craft, but, delivered them back to collection group nearbye to where I live.
Last year I discovered that this family were charging A50cents to collect the empty box from them. When I told my my friend, she said that they are not allowed to add this charge. This year they are again adding the same charge.
Can you tell me if you are now charging for the shoeboxes?
My friend passed away suddenly, 2 months ago, so now have to obtain them from somewhere else. Love this project. Gbi
August 11th, 2009 at 5:25 am
Diane,
Call our hotline on 1 800 684 300 (AU) / 800 684 300 (NZ) to speak to your nearest Operation Christmas Child representative. They can let you know where to take your gift filled boxes.
You can use any empty medium sized shoe box for your gifts. If you need quantities of the pre-printed boxes – call the number above – they will be happy to assist.
Check our OCC website for more information:
>> http://www.samaritanspurse.org.au/OCC
August 12th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Gabi
Shoe shops will usually give you boxes particularly if you give them plenty of notice.
Hi Diane
Have you looked at this page for drop off points. I’m not sure if it’s been updated for 2009 but there’s a number to call.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org.au/occ_08_where_take_your_boxes.shtml
August 14th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Gabi,
We are encouraging people to make a donation of 50 cents per pre-printed shoe box to cover the cost of printing the actual box.
Diane,
ALL Drop Off Points will be published on the website by mid September.