At Common Hope, we are aware that our actions have an impact around the globe. With respect to donated items, we understand that it is often better to buy items in Guatemala to promote the local economy. We are also mindful of the costs involved with accepting donated items — costs of sorting, storing, shipping, and importing, as well as staff and volunteer time required to manage these processes. In many cases, these expenses may actually be more than the full price of the same items purchased in Guatemala.
With these thoughts in mind, we have listed below the items that we do accept and ask that you review the list before deciding on your donation. Also, it is important to know that at times we do share your donations with other worthy causes, such as clinics, schools, and orphanages.
Needed donation items
Please note: We only accept the following newly purchased items.
School supplies
Backpacks, pens (black/blue/red), pencils, erasers, sharpeners, glue bottles, 12-pack colored pencils, children’s scissors, rulers, watercolors, scientific calculators, compasses, protractors. (No notebooks, paper, or folders.)
Teacher supplies and classroom incentives
White board markers, masking tape, construction paper, small craft kits, and little incentives like stickers and bouncy balls.
Hygiene items
Bars of soap, hand towels, and wash cloths.
Dental items
Toothbrushes, toothpaste.
Children’s books in Spanish
Hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves
Suitcases with wheels and handles
For carrying supplies to Guatemala.
If you have questions, contact Colleen Tracy at colleent@us.commonhope.org or (651) 917-0917. Please contact Colleen if you have a larger donation and will need help unloading the items, so we can set up a time for your delivery.
Medical items
If you have a medical supply donation, please contact Kathie Amble at kamble@comcast.net to see if it is something we can use.
Medical items we CANNOT accept
- Narcotics: pills, patches, injectable solutions, oral solutions
- Pre-filled syringes with saline, heparin
- Bottles of normal saline used to mix medications in syringes
- Bags of IV fluids
- Bottles of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
- Expired medications of all types
- Unexpired medications that have been opened and partially used
Another way to provide necessary supplies for our affiliated families is to designate a financial gift. Your gift to the School Supply or Health Care funds will help us purchase the bulk of supplies we need for children and families in Guatemala. Click here to make a donation and simply write “School Supplies” or “Health Care” in the comments field.
