How do I get items to families with children in need?

Back to: Help a Child, Help a Family Organiser’s Course

1. Items are usually delivered to families in need through partners who have established contacts with families in need.
2. Some of the best known partners include church deaconries, the SPR, local aid agencies and shelters.
3. The first contacts should be made about two months before the collection, unless the partnership is already well established.

Sorting and delivery process

1. Agree with the distributor how the goods will be delivered and how they should be delivered to them (sorting, packaging and delivery method).
2. Usually the goods are sorted into different boxes by product category.
3. Make sure that the collection focuses on the products that are most needed by the beneficiaries of the distribution channel.

Cooperation with distributors

1. Keep in close contact with the distributors and make sure that all practical arrangements are made well in advance.
2. Try to build long-term working relationships so that collections can be carried out regularly and in the same way.
3. Document what you have learned.

Consider suitable local distribution channels and partners who could deliver the collected items to families with children in need. Contact them and agree on a partnership. We have listed some ideas to get you started.

Tip: Chat GPT can help you list potential distribution channels and partners in your area by asking them for advice, for example by asking the following question:

“I’m doing a Lions Help a Child, Help a Family collection in ______________. Please list organisations in the area that could distribute the items donated in the collection to families with children in need.

Ideas for suitable partners for distribution channels

General relief and charitable organisations

• Hope – Yhdessä & Yhteisesti ry (operates in several locations, supports families in need)
• Pelastakaa Lapset ry (distributes aid to families with children in Finland)
• Kotimaanapu.fi (Network of church deaconry and other aid organisations)
• Red Cross (SPR) (Local branches can distribute donations in crisis situations)
• Mannerheimin Lastensuojeluliiton paikallisyhdistykset Leaguefor Child Protection (MLL)

2. Relief work by parishes and church communities

• Diaconal work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (local churches support families and can receive donations)
• Pentecostal churches and other free churches (many have food aid and relief activities)
• Salvation Army (distributes food and supplies throughout Finland)

3. Local and regional relief organisations

• City or municipal social services (Can direct assistance to families)
• Local food aid organisations and bread lines (e.g. Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Turku)
• Local crisis centres and family support centres
• Shelters and first homes (In many places, help for families)
• Women’s and children’s shelters (in many places)
• Member associations of the Association of First Aid and Shelters (Helping families with children in various places in Finland)

4. Other potential distributors

• Local residents’ associations and village committees (organise food and goods distribution)
• Local schools and kindergartens (Reaching families through headmasters and social work)
• Municipal family work units
• Local youth work and child protection organisations (Refer people in need of help)

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