When natural disasters strike — like Hurricane Melissa, which devastated communities across Jamaica — people naturally want to help. And help they do. We’re deeply grateful for the generous tangible donations we’ve received so far: clothing, canned foods, hygiene items, diapers, and more.
But here’s the truth most people don’t realize: tangible donations don’t ship themselves.
When we launched the Hurricane Melissa Relief Drive, Grace Period committed to getting these supplies directly into the hands of families in Jamaica who need them most. To make that happen, there are significant behind-the-scenes costs that rarely get discussed — and even less often funded.
That’s why monetary donations are just as crucial as physical ones.
The Real Cost of Sending Aid Overseas
Many people assume nonprofits can simply “send barrels,” but the truth is:
To ship meaningful amounts of aid, we must use shipping crates — not single barrels.
A standard 20-foot crate (container) costs around $2,500 to ship from the Baltimore wharf to Montego Bay, Jamaica. This does not include:
-
Crate rental or purchase
-
Packaging and protective materials
-
Labor to sort, inventory, and load the donations
-
Transportation from our Maryland locations to the wharf
-
Wharf handling fees
-
Local transportation from the port in Jamaica to multiple communities
For context, even small shipments add up quickly. A single barrel can cost $150–$350+ to ship — and a relief drive of this scale requires multiple barrels’ worth of supplies, which is why shipping crates becomes the only realistic method.
Crates are cost-effective on a per-item basis, but only if the funds exist to ship them.
The Duty Waiver Helps, but It Does Not Remove the Costs
The Jamaican government has generously waived import duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) for approved relief items until December 31, 2025, which is a tremendous help.
However, even with this waiver:
-
Crate shipping costs
-
Local transportation
-
Packaging
-
Wharf and processing fees
-
Distribution costs
-
Logistics support
All still remain — and these are the expenses that determine whether donations successfully reach families.
Nonprofits Rarely Receive Funding for Operations
National statistics show:
-
80–85% of donations to small nonprofits are physical items
-
Fewer than 20% are monetary contributions
Yet logistical needs like shipping, transportation, printing, marketing, and administrative coordination are funded almost entirely by cash — not physical goods.
This often forces volunteers and founders to pay out of pocket to keep operations moving.
Marketing and Outreach Require Resources
To run a transparent, trustworthy relief drive, Grace Period must invest in:
-
Flyers, posters, and printing
-
Social media promotion
-
Website hosting and updates
-
T-shirts and identifiers for ground teams
-
Photo and video documentation for accountability
These materials ensure our donors, supporters, and partners can clearly see how their contributions are being used.
Volunteers Are Not Paid — but They Still Bear the Costs
Grace Period is a 100% volunteer-led organization.
However, volunteers still contribute their own:
-
Gas and transportation
-
Time off work
-
Supplies and printing
-
Delivery and pickup travel
Monetary support helps relieve this burden and allows us to focus fully on distributing aid.
Why Monetary Donations Are Essential
Your financial donations directly support:
-
Crate shipping from Maryland to Jamaica
-
Local distribution in multiple affected communities
-
Purchasing additional high-need items
-
Secure handling, packaging, and transport
-
Marketing and transparency measures
-
Team support for on-the-ground coordination
Every dollar ensures your physical donations actually reach Jamaica and are delivered to families in need.
Why We Are Hosting Raffles
Because small nonprofits rarely receive cash donations, raffles allow us to raise the funds needed specifically for shipping and logistics.
We’re grateful to the partners helping expand our relief efforts:
-
Catherine’s Italian Caribbean Restaurant – Laurel, MD
-
Hilton Garden Inn U.S. Capitol / NOMA – Washington, DC
-
Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria – Alexandria, VA
These collaborations increase visibility and drop-off access, but Grace Period still carries the responsibility of covering shipping costs.
How You Can Support This Relief Drive
Donate Supplies
Drop-off locations across the entire DMV are available for tangible donations.
Donate Financially
Even $5–$10 makes a tangible difference in covering shipping costs.
You can donate securely online via PayPal at:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
or by scanning the Grace Period QR code wherever you see our donation boxes and materials.
Participate in Raffles
Your raffle ticket purchase contributes directly to crate shipping and logistics while giving you a chance to win prizes.
Together, We Deliver Hope
Grace Period is committed to ensuring that every item donated — whether tangible or financial — reaches families impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Thank you for supporting this relief effort. Your contribution is not only appreciated — it is essential.
