Dr. Jeanette Harder
University of Nebraska at Omaha, School of Social Work
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief, service, and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. MCC reflects the biblical call to care for the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the sick and those in prison.
School kits are MCC's most requested item. They are given primarily to refugee and displaced children, helping students and teachers add some normalcy to disrupted lives. Also areas that experienced natural disasters receive them with joy. MCC sends school kits for children in places such as Bosnia, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Liberia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine and to poorly funded schools in Canada and the United States. In 2004, MCC sent more than 90,000 school kits.
Donations of cash to purchase school supplies (tol be purchased during back-to-school sales) and fabric for bags may be sent to First Mennonite Church.
Each year all over North America, thousands of volunteers come together to raise money which is distributed through MCC for the relief of suffering in the world. Over $5 million was raised in 2004 with 88% sent to the field. These festivals/auctions offer a little bit of everything - quilts, artwork, crafted woodwork, homemade foods, antiques and crafts. Often there is music and lots of fun activities for kids including an auction just for them.
Selected quilts that I have made for MCC Relief Sales.