How you can help: Donate clothing

St. Anthony’s Thrift Shop provides new and gently used clothing and household goods, sold for a small price.

The shop is run by the Franciscan Friars who also lead the congregation at Mary Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church, located on Norman Manley Blvd (the Beach Road).

Donations can either be brought to the thrift shop, which is located next to St. Anthony’s Kitchen, or to the church.

In greatest need right now are children’s clothing (of all ages, including babies).

To contact the church, email mgh@franciscan.org.

How you can help: Fly WestJet

Did you know that Westjet’s Humanitarian Aid programme enables you to bring a suitcase of donations for free (that is, you don’t have to pay for a second suitcase).

According to their website:

WestJet will accept one piece of baggage containing humanitarian aid per guest with the following restrictions:

• The flight must be departing from Canada;
• The humanitarian aid items must be packed separately from your belongings;
• The baggage item must not exceed the checked baggage allowance for the aircraft you will be travelling on, or the amount permitted to your intended destination;
• Baggage which exceeds the standard size and weight allowances will be charged the applicable overweight and oversized baggage fee(s);
• Please note: some countries have restrictions on the types of aid permitted. It is your responsibility to contact the country’s consulate or embassy to verify permitted items as well as the guidelines and procedures for importing the item(s).

 

We’ve done this before and can offer the following advice:

1. All the donated items need to be in a separate suitcase or bag
2. Have a letter or email from the group that you’re bringing the donations to (this confirms that the items are being donated and are not commercial goods)
3. Go through the “Items to declare” line — you’ll need to open your bags and show that everything is in the appropriate bag