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Frequently Asked Questions
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 August 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.
Scroll up to the DOWNLOADS section of this page and you will see the school supply lists.
Please note that this is a condensed list of supplies that students most commonly need.
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 August 21st, 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 Hope Center - 383 Vandervoort Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 on August 21st between 6-7:30 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.
You certainly can buy more than what you see on the school supply lists, but please keep in mind that we want to be respectful, consistent, and fair with each family registered year after year. Help us avoid confusion by not going way over the spending threshold. If you have the official school supply list for NT, you can feel free to reference that for additional items.
To keep the costs lower for sponsors, we do not require purchasing a backpack, but if you are looking to give something extra to your sponsored student(s), this is a great way to do that.
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 (August 21st between 6-7:30 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 August 21st or the items will be left at the door. If someone is not home, you may leave the items at their door.
The NT Football Team is hosting a food drive to fill as many boxes as they can. However, if you would like to fill a box as well, please email openaboxofhope@gmail.com. The food list is on the resource page.