As followers of Jesus Christ, members of the Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations are aware of the importance of standing with those who are suffering and caring for their needs. Sharing resources is one concrete way to signal this awareness and desire to respond. The response is rooted in thankfulness and obedience to Christ. The underlying principles of compassion, mutual respect, partnership, and search for peace and justice for all people applies equally to the utilization of all MCC resources: people, money, food and material resources.
When is a material resource intervention necessary and appropriate?
In the event of a natural disaster, war or conflict, and economic and political injustices, emergency material aid intervention may be required for some communities. In addition to emergency relief and refugee settings, material resources may be appropriately used in institutions such as hospitals, orphanages and prisons, where people often depend on contributions to survive; to meet the needs of those among the poor who have the fewest resources; in development programs; and when material gifts are tangible ways to stand with people experiencing oppression, natural disaster or war.
What kind of material resource response is appropriate?
MCC places a priority on purchasing materials in-country or in the region if surpluses of appropriate commodities are available at prices comparable to world prices plus shipping expenses. Nearly all MCC responses will contain both locally purchased materials and resources sent from Canada, the United States, and Europe. Material resources will be shipped from Canada and the United States where MCC works in the following situations:
Available materials in MCC material resource centres are culturally appropriate.
Quality and quantity of materials given do not significantly disrupt the local market.
Local partners requested materials and are part of the planning for distribution and use.
Assistance is granted for a specific purpose and for a defined period of time.
Who determines the need, receives material resources, and implements material aid programs?
The local MCC partner agency takes the lead in designing, managing and implementing the material aid program together with the affected population.
Is material aid always a good thing?
A carefully planned material aid intervention can benefit the recipient and be a sign of God's caring and compassion for those affected by adverse conditions. Many who receive these gifts express thanks to the local partner, MCC and the church supporting MCC for thinking about them.
At the same time, sharing material resources, like sending personnel, food and dollars, remains challenging. When sharing material resources, one must work for equitable and appropriate distribution. Giving material resources can create long-lasting dependencies and put stress on local economic initiatives. For givers in Canada and the United States, sharing material resources must not be viewed as the panacea or only response called for by the church. Material resources are only part of the overall MCC response.
Église chrétienne de Saint-Eustache 69, rue Saint-Laurent Saint-Eustache, QC J7P 3X6 (514) 278-3008 *Please call first to ensure that someone will be available
Hinton Mennonite Relief Center, Inc. 6011 Rawley Pike Hinton, VA 22831 540-867-9751(home phone of Leon Rhodes) * Please do not send mail or donations to this address.
Sewing kits are used to make and mend clothing and create craft items. People in such countries as Haiti, Kenya and Ukraine have received MCC sewing kits.
Contents (NEW items only)
3 spools white thread
3 spools black thread (each spool 250 yards minimum; all-purpose; cotton/polyester or 100% polyester)
1 metric fabric tape measure
1 thimble(medium size)
1 dressmaker’s scissors(good quality)
1 pkg needles (approx 25)
1 pkg straight pins (approx 100)
12 matching, shirt-style, black or white buttons (approx size ½–1 in; place loose buttons in resealable plastic bag)
1 pkg sew-on snaps (approx 20–25)
10 assorted safety pins
Sewing kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself (instructions), request bags from an MCC collection center, or donate contents that we will place in a bag.
Drop off completed sewing kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
Making kit bags How to make the drawstring shoulder bag for the kit contents.
School kits are MCC’s most-requested item. Notebooks and pencils become treasures to families who struggle to afford basic school supplies. School kits also are given to refugee and displaced children, helping students and teachers add some normalcy to disrupted lives. They are frequently requested after disasters. MCC sends school kits to places including Afghanistan, Jordan and Kenya.
4 spiral or perforated notebooks (8 1⁄2 x 10 1⁄2 in and 70 sheets)
4 unsharpened pencils
1 ruler(flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30 cm and 12 in)
12 colored pencils (in packaging)
1 large pencil eraser
School kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself (instructions), request bags from an MCC collection center, or donate contents that we will place in a bag.
Drop off completed school kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
Relief kits provide valuable supplies to families traumatized by war and disasters. In recent years, kits have been sent to El Salvador, Honduras and Iraq.
Contents (NEW items only, in original packaging)
4 large bars bath soap
1 plastic bottle shampoo (13–24 oz; place in resealable plastic bag)
4 large bars laundry soap (Some stores carry Fels Naptha ®, Sunlight® or Zote® brands)
1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 6 oz)
4 adult-size toothbrushes
4 new bath towels (medium weight, dark or bright colors)
Place contents in a box or bag and deliver to one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S. The kit will be re-packed in a new 5-gallon plastic pail with lid.
MCC distributes infant care kits to hospitals, clinics and refugee camps. Kits are given to mothers who use the items to help their infants get a good start in places such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), El Salvador and Serbia.
Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
2 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
4 cloth diapers (flat-fold preferred)
1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel; minimum 36 in)
4 safety pins(2 in)
1 large bar mild soap(leave in wrapper)
1 pair of socks
1 cap
Thank you for limiting your generosity to the items listed.
Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold into the receiving blanket. Fasten together with the safety pins. Contact your local MCC warehouse/activity center for a new design for hand-sewn gowns. Note: Items can either be purchased or hand sewn. Packages of precut materials are available from some MCC offices.
Drop off completed infant care kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
Hygiene kits are often presented to displaced people who do not have access to hygiene supplies. Some are given through schools or orphanages to encourage children in healthy habits. People in such countries as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Haiti and Bosnia and Herzegovina have received hygiene kits in the past few years.
Contents (NEW items, in original packaging)
1 adult-size toothbrush 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 6 oz) 1 large bar bath soap 1 fingernail clipper (good quality) 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color)
Hygiene kits are distributed in a useful double drawstring cloth bag (11in x 16in). You may sew the bag yourself (instructions), request bags from an MCC collection center or donate contents that we will place in a bag. Drop off completed hygiene kits at one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S.
$100 to purchase medicines for people living with AIDS, to train volunteers in basic home health care and to provide food and travel allowances for volunteers. (Make check to “MCC—AIDS caregiver kit.”)
Include 16 in x 22 in cloth drawstring shoulder bag. You may sew the bag yourself, request bags from an MCC collection center. Instructions for making bags are available here.
Thank you for limiting your generosity to the items listed.
Place contents in a box or bag and deliver to one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S. The kit will be re-packed in a new 5-gallon plastic pail with lid.
We thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have put together kits or sewn blankets over the years both for their generosity and their dedication to providing high-quality items that can withstand the harsh conditions that many people who receive these supplies are facing.
Cash for kits Help MCC buy needed items for families in their home communities or regions. Sometimes when a disaster strikes, it makes sense for MCC to purchase items locally to enable a quick response, when culturally appropriate or when government restrictions don't allow supplies to come into a country.
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