Please reach us at openaboxofhope@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
After you fill out the volunteer/sponsorship form, please allow 10-14 days for a response. This year, we will begin matching families on December 1st. We appreciate your patience as the matching process takes time. Our small team is working to match you to a family that meets the spending threshold you indicated.
You certainly can buy more than what you see on the food list. But please keep in mind that we want to be respectful, consistent, and fair with each family registered year after year when it comes to gifts. Help us avoid confusion by not going way over the spending threshold. Some thoughtful things to consider would be a gift for the parents or adults in the household, if you would like.
Bring those extra food boxes along with you to the delivery hub on December 18th. We will keep those at the delivery hub and send them to the families that need them. If you are ONLY filling food boxes and not sponsoring a family, you can drop off your boxes on Tuesday, December 17th at 6 PM. The Delivery Hub address is: Knights of Columbus - 755 Erie Ave, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
Yes, on the sponsorship form you can select that you just want to purchase gifts. The NT School District has done a food drive to help supply extra food. We will give you food to take along with your delivery.
Scroll up to the DOWNLOADS section of this page and you will see what goes into a food box.
If you are unable to deliver your items, we ask that you find someone who is able to deliver your items for you. If that is not possible, you can contact our team at openaboxofhope@gmail.com. Please remember that we are a small team of volunteers. The best option is for you or someone you know to deliver the items you've purchased for your family.
When you receive your sponsorship sheet, you will only receive first names and information that allows you to purchase the necessary supplies. On December 18th, when you arrive at the delivery hub, you will be given the family’s address and phone number so that you can contact them and deliver your items.
When you filled out your volunteer/sponsorship form, you indicated a specific spending threshold. We use that framework to match the appropriate number of students to you.
Bring your items to the Delivery Hub - The Knights of Columbus - 755 Erie Ave, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 on December 18th between 6-8 PM. We will give you the address and phone number so you can make your delivery.
If you let us know on your form that you would like to be paired with a specific family, we will do our best to match you with them. Please understand that it may take longer to receive your sponsorship sheet as there are several steps involved to locate a previous sponsorship. If the family you indicated did not register for this year, then we will have to match you with an alternate family.
Right now, we do not have an option for early deliveries. We will not be able to give out addresses prior to the delivery time (December 18th between 6-8 PM). However, if you have a relationship with the family you are sponsoring and you know their address, you may coordinate delivery with that family on your own. You must email openaboxofhope@gmail.com to notify us that you have delivered your items successfully.
Each registered family has agreed that someone must be present between 6-9 PM on December 18th or the items will be left at the door. If someone is not home, you may leave the items at their door.