Basic Needs Ministry

2006 Clothing and Fire Certificate Program

Basic Clothing Gift Certificate Program

Clothing gift certificates will be available through over 270 churches, food banks, schools, civic organizations, and government agencies. They expire 21 days after issue or December 31, 2006, and have no cash value. They are for residents of the service area, which is Garner, Clayton, Wilson's Mill, Angier, Willow Spring, Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Township, and Raleigh 27603 south of Tryon Road and East of Rt. 401.

General Program Guidelines for Clothing Gift Certificates

The goal is to to provide appropriate clothing based on a specific individual's needs. Most individuals will need one or two sets of clothes for an event or replacement. Rarely will an individual need a multi-week wardrobe.

  • Organizations located in the Basic Needs Service Area of Wake and Johnston Counties and Angier in Harnett County are eligible to participate in the Gift Certificate Program. They must either be located in Basic Needs Ministry service area or serve the residents of the service area.
  • Only 60 Clothing Gift Certificates ($600) will be issued to any agency at any one time. Organizations may request more, as needed.
  • The face value of any gift certificate may not be changed.
  • Only $10 face value Clothing Gift Certificates will be issued in the general program, which can provide a set of adult shoes, socks, trousers, shirt, and belt or five 1-piece toddler's outfits or a combination selected by the individual which totals $10 at Basic Needs thrift prices.
  • Fire and Disaster victims may use the standard gift certificate for household goods, when issued by a fire company or sheriff's department and they have a signed proof of loss or certificate of fire.

Guidelines for Clothing Gift Certificate Issuing Agency

The goal is to to provide appropriate clothing based on a specific individual's needs. In order to do that the agency must be able to tell Basic Needs exactly who is to receive the clothing.

  • The issuing organization must print the first and last name of the client, who is to receive the clothing, on each gift certificate. If a child is to receive the clothing, then the child's name, not the parent's, must be on the certificate.
  • The issuing organization must print the date of issue on each gift certificate. A 21-day window of usage tries to ensure that a client needing clothes in January will get them by February at the latest. Since Basic Needs issues over 18,000 certificates, this prevents the clients holding them all year long and trying to redeem them at Christmas time, when Basic Needs will not be able to handle or stock for that high a volume.

Guidelines for Customers on How to Use Clothing Gift Certificates

The goal is to to provide appropriate clothing based on a specific individual's needs. In order to do that Basic Needs must be able to identify the individual referred by the agency.

  1. Only clothing, including coats, hats, shoes and belts, will be provided for Basic Needs' free Clothing Gift Certificates.
  2. When a customer uses a gift certificate and the amount of the purchase is less than the face value of the certificate, no change will be refunded and no balance carried forward.
  3. When a customer wants more merchandise than the value of his gift certificates, the customer will be expected to pay the overage and the appropriate sales tax.
  4. Only 5 Clothing Gift Certificates (5 sets of clothing) may be redeemed by any individual in 30-day period without prior approval by the director or board. Exceptions: fire or disaster with recent fire certificate, recent placement of a foster child, or flight from abusive home situation.
  5. The clothing acquired must fit the individual who is named on the certificate.
  6. The individual named on the gift certificate must be present at Basic Needs to use the gift certificate, where a dressing room is provided to try on the clothing.
  7. Basic Needs does not permit returns or exchanges of clothing.
  8. Staff and volunteers will need positive identification of the individual named on the gift certificate and proof of residency of each client. Basic Needs will accept a valid North Carolina Driver's License, State Identification Card, Consulate Card, and Social Security card for adults. Student Photo Identification and Social Security cards are accepted for minors. A Social Security card will be accepted for preschool or for a school not issuing a school photo Identification Card. Clients must provide proof of residency (rent receipt, utility receipt) in Basic Needs' service area, which is generally accepted as living within 10 miles of the Basic Need Ministry warehouse or Garner, Clayton, Wilson's Mill, Angier, Willow Spring, Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Township, and Raleigh 27603 south of Tryon Road and East of Rt. 401.

Special Project Requests

  1. Requesting organizations may be required to provide a copy of their letter from the IRS verifying their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and when required by North Carolina law, their Solicitation License.
  2. Special project leaders requesting clothing in bulk should send Basic Needs a written request on the organization's letterhead.
  3. Bulk requests may not use free clothing certificates.
  4. Special projects may use gift certificates with a selective population or expanded service area.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be approved by the Director or the Board.

Improper Use

Basic Needs may refuse service when persons do not live in the service area, attempt to use invalid certificates, do not have valid identification, exceed guidelines, or in case of fraud.