Donating shoes or clothes in Cozumel

[deborahdelamar]

From the original list, these are the most expensive items to buy in Coz grocery stores: Diapers, formula, caldo de pollo (chicken boullion), instant coffee (Mexicans like strong coffee), & pasta.

No Customs issues with any of these. Customs limit is 300 USD per person in documented new items.

 

[DandyDon]

I think it's great that so many are interested in humping goods to Coz to donate to needy & charities, especially since this may well mean $25/bag fees for many. I'm allowed 2-70# each free with the airline I use, but I did get hit once during a policy change: $125 leaving, $100 returning - ouch! Well, I've always taken all that I wanted to have.

I am a giving guy at times (dropped off some things and bought some things at a thrift charity store today), but I just hadn't thot of carrying donations. One group I have traveled with did organize supplies for school kids, but honestly I didn't trust the organizer - yet didn't think of donating on my own, just tipping pretty well. Glad to see this topic brought up again.

I do wonder if dear Deb just might have got her threads confused tho, as she's also posting on the thread about what foods you can't buy in Coz for consumption - and I am curious about a point or two not meaning to be mean at all, just curious...?

instant coffee (Mexicans like strong coffee), & pasta.

Huh? So? Needy locals drink a lot of instant, or eat pasta? I know that Mexico produces some coffee, and I luv good coffee day and night, but there's some reason they can't boil their own? And I understand that the traditional Mexican peon (word used for description only, not insult) diet of bean, corn, chili peppers and onions is a well balanced veggie diet, yes? What is the pasta for?

I don't mean to be rude; just curious...?

Edit: I'm not going to hide my question as it may have seem odd to someone else, but Deb answers nicely below. I like beans and corn a lot more than pasta, but live and learn about others, eh...

 

[deborahdelamar]

The list is designed to be acceptable for anyone -- from a family that cooks outdoors using their only pot on up the economic ladder.

Strong instant coffee with sugar is a common breakfast for kids as well as adults and is generally cheaper by the cup than ground. (The stores in Mexico stock pre-sweetened instant coffee.) Plus there's the issue of how to make ground coffee without extra supplies like an appropriate vessel, filters, etc.

The pasta is to make soup a satisfying meal: boil water, add caldo de pollo powder, a little tomato puree, and a little pasta. People really enjoy a break from beans, rice and canned tuna.

 

[pidgiepoo]

I checked with someone who's donated to the Share with Martin program for years and this is their quote:
"They are VERY insistent that the clothes go directly to the people and not to another church or charity to distribute. "
Just wanted to clear that question up since I origionally posted the info on Dive with Martin's Share program.

 

[DandyDon]

I checked with someone who's donated to the Share with Martin program for years and this is their quote:
"They are VERY insistent that the clothes go directly to the people and not to another church or charity to distribute. "
Just wanted to clear that question up since I origionally posted the info on Dive with Martin's Share program.

Ooops! Okay, there is an old discussion about how donating clothing directly to people often backfired on this site

However, here is a notice on IslaCozumel.net by Dive with Martin: Share Your Heart - Cozumel, Mexico I copied from the site, which seems to say otherwise...??

 

[deborahdelamar]

It's important that, if you bring things all the way to Cozumel, they get to the right people and I believe in my heart that the staff at DWM know who those people are and they are helping them.

I don't understand the comment re giving to another church or charity unless they are thinking about bazaars. Most of the churches and charities in Cozumel distribute donations and do not sell them. And most that sell are also doing the poor a favor by allowing them to buy clothing -- which is very expensive in Coz -- at prices they can afford while maintaining their pride (very important.) Visit any Gran Bazaar and you'll see that clothing prices are in pennies instead of dollars. And the money raised is used for other community work -- to buy construction materials or food or provide day care, etc.

So don't worry if you want to give. No one is making a big profit on your donations and donations are helpful to those in need -- one way or another.

 

[Bandmom]

From the original list, these are the most expensive items to buy in Coz grocery stores: Diapers, formula, caldo de pollo (chicken boullion), instant coffee (Mexicans like strong coffee), & pasta.

No Customs issues with any of these. Customs limit is 300 USD per person in documented new items.

Does that $300 per person for "new items" include food such as baby formula? I only ask because baby formula can add up fairly quickly especially if I try to bring the brands that are for the babies with allergies. My daughter could only use one kind and it was really expensive but I guess because of her I am sensitive to the little ones with allergies Also, diapers don't weigh much so I'm thinking that would be a good thing to bring. As for the "caldo de pollo", do you mean the little cubes that you melt in hot water and they make chicken brooth? I'm going to try to dedicate a suitcase to just things to donate. I'm sure we'll need it anyway since we always seem to come back with more than we left with. THANKS!!

 

[deborahdelamar]

Yes, the $ limit applies to everything you have in your luggage to leave in MX. No need to buy a special baby formula -- regular powdered is perfect. Powdered boullion is best because it's easier to portion & use (our local Costco sells bottled Knorr) or you might consider buying the store brand at Chedraui, which is sold in bags. Cubes would be completely acceptable to a hungry family!!

 

[DandyDon]

Back to the original question. I noticed on an email from Blue Angel, they include at the bottom...

We are asking our clients, if they have room in their suitcases, would you please bring used clothing/shoes for children or adults. These items are much needed by the poor in Mexico. THANKS!

So I suppose just donating unwanted clothing is still welcomed - and Blue Angle is still collecting.

 

[Fin59]

Question maybe some of the locals can answer. We won't be going back til later in the year most likely. Is it possible to ship or mail any of the items in? I'm not sure how customs works in that area.