For many, many years thoughtful donors and friends of El Hogar have been sending goods and supplies to El Hogar. It is through this kindness that we have clothing, medicine and school supplies for our children. This is a tremendous help to our program and saves us precious money. We offer our profound gratitude.

However, we have discovered over the recent years that we need to reevaluate our shipping program.

Our shipping program has limitations
In truth, getting goods to El Hogar is not so easy. It is extremely expensive to ship packages using DHL or another delivery company. For many years we have been using a shipping connection that allows us to add our boxes to someone else’s freight headed to Honduras. This requires storing up donated supplies in our storage unit in Jacksonville FL until the ‘boat’ is ready to sail. Currently this is only one time per year, in May. Also, due to weight limits, larger items cannot make use of this program.

Some goods shipped are not usable
There have been some other interesting things we have noticed over the years. For a few years now, one person, Margo Mingay has assumed responsibility for unpacking and storing donated supplies that come to El Hogar, giving us a regular and consistent view into goods donated. It has been "an eye-opener". Unquestionably we are moved by the variety and quality of items given. Unfortunately we have unpacked many items that are really not usable by El Hogar. We have unpacked winter clothes, baby clothes, and clothing that is numerous sizes too big for our children! People have invested time and cost to pack and ship these things. Sadly it is impractical.

Our current inventory is complete in some areas, lacking in others
The good news is because of your largesse, there are very few things we need now. Most of what we need are items that get used up, such as toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. The other items we still need include some very specific or large items, such as certain appliances. These items change over time.

The benefit of an inventory manager
One solution that addresses all of the above issues is to have one person manage the inventory of goods donated to El Hogar. In this way, we will always know what is most needed at any given time, and generous people who want to send things to El Hogar can focus their time and resources. Our inventory manager is Margo Mingay, who is volunteering her vast organizational skills to help us know what we need. If you would like to send supplies to El Hogar please do contact Margo to find out what is needed. minwin@sympatico.ca

Channeling supplies through work teams
An additional solution to the shipping problem is to utilize our many work team volunteers rather than our once-a-year shipping program. By asking work team members to pack a second suitcase of goods for El Hogar, we can see that supplies get there quickly and safely. We are asking work team leaders to contact Margo to find out what is best to bring. Additionally, groups that want to collect items for El Hogar – for example as a Lenten project - could store things they have collected until we find the closest work team for them to bring or ship their goods to.

What about items that are large and heavy?
Getting large or heavy items to El Hogar is a challenge, as they cannot be brought by work teams or sent through our Jacksonville FL program. We are working on a new connection with the US Army that can allow shipment of heavy and large items. Please contact us at elhogar@3crowns.org for information on this method.

Alternatives to sending goods from the US or Canada
Often it is more cost-efficient to purchase needed items in Honduras than it is to buy and send them from North America. And it would assist the Honduran economy. To use this alternative, simply send a check to El Hogar Ministries, and indicate that it is for purchasing the specific items you have discussed with Margo. We will make the funds available to the staff in Honduras to purchase the supplies there.

The best alternative to sending goods
Some individuals and groups are drawn to collecting supplies. And we are so very grateful for this, because it does help us tremendously. However, there is an alternative that we invite you to consider. The best gift of all for El Hogar is to sponsor one of our children. How our children love to know that they have a "god-parent" who sponsors him, writes to him and follows his progress! We cannot over-estimate the significance of belonging and being loved that that gives to them. It's thrilling to see a child proudly display a photo of their "god-parent" and have it posted over their bed, or carry their letter in their shirt pocket, close to their heart. To sponsor a child, please contact us at elhogar@3crowns.org.





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