c/o Medical Teams International
P.O. Box 10
Portland, Oregon 97207-0010
503-624-1000 or 1-800-959-4325
Frequently Asked Questions
About 4,500.
How many shoeboxes did you collect after Hurricane Mitch, and did they all
get sent?
Yes, all 32.000 shoeboxes were sent to Honduras. This was an
increase of 30,000 boxes over the fall 1997 drive. The devastation of Hurricane
Mitch and the resulting publicity created an outpouring of support for which we
are grateful.
How do the shoeboxes get down to Honduras and who distributes them?
We have the experience and the connections to send the gifts on Air
Force space available flights (USAID/Denton Amendment). The gifts are received
and dispersed through two volunteer organizations, Chain of Love, directed by
Dr. Lila Larios and through the Cancer Center by Dr. Flora Duarte.
How many shoeboxes are needed this year?
As many as possible. UNICEF estimates that half of the population of
Honduras are children under 18 and many of them live in poverty and are in need
of basic health and school supplies. Besides being a poor and
underdeveloped country, they are still recovering from Hurricane
Mitch.
Does the shoebox have to be wrapped?
No, but feel free to be creative and decorate the box if you have time. If
you do choose to use wrapping paper (any kind will do) please wrap the top and
the bottom of the box separately for ease of inspection. The box needs to be
tied securely with yarn, ribbon or string.
How important is it to include the items in bold on the inventory sheet?
It is very important. Our Medical/Dental Clinics depend on the Health and
Hygiene supplies and families can’t afford basic school supplies. We do not
have the time or resources to equalize every shoebox so we appreciate your
effort to include bold items.
Can we include religious materials?
Unfortunately not, because it is against the USAID/Denton rules which
provides Operation Shoebox with free shipping via Air Force flights.
Does Operation Shoebox collect clothing and food?
No, we are not a emergency relief organization. We recommend that clothing
and food donations be given to appropriate local or international relief
organization, such as Mercy Corp.
What do we do with our extra shoebox items?
Will the shoeboxes arrive by Christmas?
Can we do shoeboxes at other times during the year?
Do you have a central office with administrative staff?
Is my gift tax deductible?
In a effort to make complete boxes, groups often end up with extra
supplies. You can bring the extra shoebox items to the drop-off sites in a
separate box or bag labeled "extra items" and they will be combined
with other extras to make complete boxes or you can store them for next years’
drive.
The shoebox relief project supports multiple children’s programs on a year
round basis. We have chosen the fall for our main drive because it is
traditionally a "giving time" of the year.
Our big push is the fall drive, October 15th through December 4th. The drop-off
sites are only available during this time. At other times during the year we ask
you to call us and bring them to our Shurguard Storage in King City, near
Tigard.
No, we are a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Our telephone
number is (503) 684-8450 (message machine & info). Operation Shoebox address
is P.O. Box 154, Marylhurst, OR 97036.
Yes, Operation Shoebox is a Oregon-based non-profit 501 (3)c volunteer
organization. You may use Federal ID No. 94-3117977 for tax deduction purposes.
Cash donations to help with printing, packaging, and other costs are greatly
appreciated. Checks can be made out to Operation Shoebox and sent to the address
listed above.