Items Needed for Haitians

Arriving in Florida

5 February 2010 - TLW

Haitians arriving in Florida following the Jan. 12 earthquake are coming with basically nothing but "the clothes on their back," according to Samuel Sipes, Lutheran Services Florida CEO. "Many of them haven’t eaten all day. They’re hungry, they’re thirsty, they’re tired. They have no money, they have nothing."  (Click here for the full story on Haitians arriving in Florida.)

As LSF staff and volunteers work to help provide Haitians with medical attention, housing, food, and other needs, a list of needed items has been created and a call has gone out seeking donors for these items:

1. Furnishings

Mattress — Twin/Double & Full per bedrooms appropriate for age and gender composition of family. Only married couples and small children of the same sex may be expected to share beds.

Box Spring

Bed Frame

Set of drawers

Shelves or other unit appropriate for storage of clothing

Kitchen table

Kitchen chair (one per person)

Couch or equivalent seating (in addition to kitchen chairs)

Lamp (one per room unless installed lighting is present)

2. Kitchen Items

One place setting of tableware (fork, knife, spoon) per person

One place setting of dishes (plate, bowl and cup) per person

Pots and pans; at least one sauce pan, frying pan, and baking dish

Mixing/serving bowls

One set of kitchen utensils (such as a spatula, wooden spoon, knife, serving utensils, etc.)

Can opener

Baby items as needed

3. Linens and Other Household Items

One towel per person

One set of sheets and blankets for each bed

One pillow and pillowcase for each person

Alarm clock

Paper, pens and/or pencils

Light bulbs

4. Cleaning Supplies

Dish soap

Bathroom/kitchen cleanser

Sponges or cleaning rags and/or paper towels

Laundry detergent

Two waste baskets

Mop or broom

Trash bags

5. Toiletries
Toilet Paper

Shampoo

Soap

One toothbrush per person

Toothpaste

Personal hygiene items as appropriate

6. Food

Culturally appropriate, ready-to-eat food, plus one days’ worth of additional food supplies and staples (including baby food as necessary).

Within one Day of arrival, food or food allowance at least equivalent to the food stamp allocation for that family unit and continued food assistance until receipt of food stamps or until individual or family is able to provide for his/her/their own food.

If you can donate any of these items, contact Danielle Kearney at 813-676-9513 or 800-651-1853.  Or by email at dkearney@lsfnet.org.

To make a cash donation to help Haitians arriving in Florida, click here.

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