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processing shoeboxes

Unsuitable or Inappropriate Items

Every year, at processing centres around the UK, teams of trained seasonal volunteers check the contents of each shoebox before it is sent to a child in need. Their aim is to keep each shoebox exactly as it was packed, by you, our generous supporters, while checking each item against a number of important criteria, such as:

  • To make sure we comply with customs requirements of the countries we are sending to.
  • To make sure we respect the cultural and religious contexts of the communities we are sending to.
  • And to ensure that the items packed are in a clean and safe condition for the child who will receive them.
  • Occasionally, we might need to remove an item that doesn’t match one of these criteria. 
  • Inappropriate items include Toothpaste, sweets, lotions and liquids; used or damaged items; war-related items; seeds, gum, chocolate or food items; religious or political literature; medicines, aerosol cans, sharp or fragile items.

Where possible, any items that need to be removed are donated to other charities.

 

Charities we’ve donated to:

Over the years we have developed relationships with many UK-based charities and donated towards their work. Examples include:

If you are aware of any charities which you feel may benefit from this do please let us know at occ@samaritans-purse.org.uk.