We will heading down next weekend, thru San Felipe . We have a some clothing we would like to donate . Dose anyone know of a church or shelter that
would accept clothing.meme - 5-19-2013 at 07:32 AM
The Food Bank. Or if it's children's clothing many times one of the orphanages can use them. Sonshine or Casa De Fe.DaliDali - 5-19-2013 at 08:09 AM
Transporting used clothing across the border into MX can be problematic.
Technically it's a no no, however I have done it, along with scads of other people from time to time without a glitch.
A former Aduana (customs) officer told me the reason being is sanitary/health concerns with USED clothing.....
I suspect it might have more to do with the re-selling of used clothing.DENNIS - 5-19-2013 at 09:00 AM
How much clothing are we talking about here?DENNIS - 5-19-2013 at 09:08 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
A former Aduana (customs) officer told me the reason being is sanitary/health concerns with USED clothing.....
That reason is pure nonsense, but this one may have some validity;
Quote:
I suspect it might have more to do with the re-selling of used clothing.
Add to that their displeasure in being told we're doing something they won't do, donate to their poor, and I think we're onto something. The truth
can be taken as an insult.backninedan - 5-19-2013 at 09:11 AM
I was turned back at the border for bringing used clothes to the hurricane victims in Loreto and mulege two years ago. I was turned back and had to
get rid of the clothing before being allowed to cross.
Seemed a shame, we had approx. 200 pounds of good clean clothes, mostly for kids.DianaT - 5-19-2013 at 09:26 AM
We have found that the best way to take donations is to take a couple extra duffle bags and mix the donations in with your own clothes. Underwear on
top of the bag usually limits a search --- especially when, oh never mind.
Just be sure to personally give your donations to where you want them to go.CaboMagic - 5-19-2013 at 11:06 AM
This is from my/our experiences .. "Your" experience may/will likely be different
but first, a favorite disclaimer: Every time the wind changes direction, or there is an election, or you ask a different person, or you ask it about a
different regional place/location, the answer will likely change and/or be different ..
We used to drive the peninsula many times each year .. and often collected donations from neighbors, family etc .. Diana's suggestion definitely a
good one. Dennis's comment is probably best explanation regarding the re-selling of used clothing.
Maybe Ferna FDT can chime in here .. on the 1st annual BN Dia De Reyes drive, we loaded up a dozen enormous green totes (not see thru) with brand new
toys and stacked them in the back of a Toyota RAV .. Tommy's 75yr old "Pop" got them to Ferna .. guess he didn't have the look of a smuggler.
Maybe Bruce Leech can chime in here .. I don't recall what year it was - the year that we initiated the Hurricane Angel Network collection .. We
loaded up dozens of colored totes with brand new clothing and got them to BajaPak in TJ and sent them to Bruce in Mulege ..
While we were in process of application/investigation with the FAA for known-shipper status, (1995'ish) we would load up huge moving boxes with
merchandise for our tienda "Musica y Mas" in CSL .. and bring them to Alaska Airlines .. each of us, at that time, was allowed 2 boxes in place of
luggage, and if we were superdupernice to the counter agent, he/she would allow us 2 more each .. on arrival in SJD airport, we immediately went to
the aduana to check in with onsite agent .. we had faxed the list of what was coming, so it was all a check-in formality .. we paid our fees ..
I don't recall what year it was installed, but SJD has an XRay machine for ALL bags coming in .. after you retrieve your bags from carousel, they are
loaded to be viewed .. that's how they decide to search.
Over the years, I noticed a decidedly shifting 'attitude' by airport workers (not to us because we were working with aduana).. insulted vs
appreciative by people bringing 'donations' .. maybe a regional thing because the area of over-the-top wealth of so many Americans (mostly) influenced
their ways of thinking.
I think the best way to ensure new or used donated merchandise is disbursed to those that are most in need is to get to an orphanage or church as
generally the pastor knows the community and knows for certain which/who would benefit most.
Good for you for doing that btw .. its sad anyone has to be slightly covert in these do-good activities ..
And I will say its a good time Ferna to begin collecting, so you don't have a last minute need for so many ..
I hope this post helps stimulates more thought and conversation.sancho - 5-19-2013 at 12:22 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by backninedan
Seemed a shame, we had approx. 200 pounds of good clean clothes, mostly for kids.
That is worse than bad, I've taken some clothes to the
SF to the Food Bank that was mentioned, it is/was,
about 1 blk no. of the Arches, on the left, as you get
into SF proper coming from the northDENNIS - 5-19-2013 at 12:47 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by CaboMagic
Maybe Ferna FDT can chime in here ..
Ferna knows the problem only too well. Now, in his efforts to recruit help in bringing gifts south for the Dia de Los Reyes event, he incorporates
the Hormiga System[ I can't recall his exact term] where the goods are brought across the line as a pile of sugar moved by many Ants.....one grain at
a time.
Let me stray off for a minute; a few years back, Ferna and I, along with a few others, were about to form a system whereas travelers coming south
could bring with them goods for emergency situations which we were to stockpile in a warehouse here in Punta Banda to await imminent need. At that
point, the border became a non-issue.
For a series of reasons, this didn't happen, but with what may be a serious hurricane season coming up, I wish it had.
I would very seriously like to re-open these plans and carry them through. The warehouse is still available.
Anybody interested in a project? I can't do this alone.freediverbrian - 5-20-2013 at 06:54 PM
Thanks for the info we are taking only three or four black plastic bags of clothes . No kids only men's just want them to go to the needy thanks for
the info. We will take a lap around town and ask .DENNIS - 5-20-2013 at 07:00 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by freediverbrian
Thanks for the info we are taking only three or four black plastic bags of clothes . No kids only men's just want them to go to the needy thanks for
the info. We will take a lap around town and ask .
Just fold everything up and treat it like it's your wardrobe and you'll be OK.
Good job. freediverbrian - 6-2-2013 at 01:49 PM
Found an answer to my question . Talked to a gringo and he referred us to Volunteers Unlimited , a food bank and thrift shop in town . They do some
good work in town ,they were very happy to receive my donation of clothes . to find the thrift shop take the street next to the OXXO ( one nearest the
arches) north for two stop sighs, turn east go to the next stop sign , thrift shop on corner on Eucaliptos
