Crates for Ukraine with Mission to the World
Fall 2023 Edition
October 15 - November 12
Wait!
If you've helped with Crates for Ukraine in the past, thank you!
However, please don't go shopping yet! Things have changed for this round, please keep reading before doing anything!
What's Going on?
This Fall Sycamore is again supporting our denomination’s Mission to the World Crates for Ukraine (CFU) program to send supplies to Ukraine. MTW is working with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine to distribute the aid where it is most needed in Ukraine. Here’s an amazing MAP of where CFU supplies have gone in the last two efforts (Summer 2022 and Winter 2023)!
In the last two efforts Sycamore has packed and sent a total of 31 crates of critcal supplies (plus helped transport crates for additional churches) to those in need in Ukraine. First flying supplies to Poland, and then in the winter driving to Chattanooga where an air freight carrier donated transportation.
We Need Your Help!
The process has changed for fall of 2023. Crates need to be packed precisely with specific items and exact count of each items. This is a request from the aid teams in Ukraine to ensure that the most needed suppliers get to the field; further it simplify the shipping and customs clearance process.
Because of this added complexity, we will not be collecting items – we’ll be raising funds, and then Sycamore will be buying specific items in November followed by a crate packing party. See more details below.
Help Financially
As we noted above, this season we are focusing on collecting financial donations, NOT physical items from individuals.
You can make donations in any amount, however to help you get a better picture of what it takes to fill a crate, we’ve provided some approximate cost information below.
You can make your donation anytime between now and November 12th:
- by check, Written to Sycamore, memo: Crates for Ukraine (offering plate, mail, or box in the foyer on Sundays)
- Online by clicking here, (or “Give” at the top of the window) select Crates for Ukraine as the fund
Packing Lists
We've built out packing lists showing how much of each item goes into a crate, and the approximate cost of each so you can have an idea of what your money will go toward. We'll be building some of each crate type based on funds and prioritization.
How Is This Working?
The new requirements have caused us to have to reimagine the best way to help those in need. Asking for ‘anything’ on the list simply wouldn’t get us to the right number of the right items.
By asking for monetary donations to the church, we’ll be able to buy the precise right count of items, save on sales tax due to our non-profit status, and in some cases buy from specialty/bulk suppliers to save even more.
Based on what’s received, we’ll purchase items and pack a mix of different crates so that all different types of needs are met. And once things are received, we’ll have a crate packing party!
From there, Frank Corwin will be transporting our crates along with others from participating churches in the area to Chattanoga where they’ll get a free plane ride to Poland, and then be trucked to an established distribution warehouse in Lviv, Ukraine.
What Else Can I Do?
Pray for all those involved – MTW has a goal of 300 churches packing 34 tons of aid this fall. Be in prayer for those supporting this effort, the logistics, the flights, continued ease at customs, that those in Ukraine would be physically helped by each item that we pack, and most of all, that they would feel the love of Christ’s church in this work.
Volunteer If you’re interested in helping pack, see the note above!
Send a Note while notes can’t go in the crates (they get emptied and resorted before going “to the field” ) a path has been set-up to get “notes of encouragement and drawings from children” to those who could use some glimpses of joy. We’ll have a dropbox in the foyer if you or your kids would like to send anything!
Help Sort & Pack
We're going to need help! The plan is that Saturday November 18th we'll have a crate packing party at church to sort and pack. If you're interested in getting some hands-on time this is the place! Please contact Rachel Anderson or Steve O'Brien (preferably by email) if you're interested.
Who's running this? Where can I learn more?
At Sycamore, the Missions Committee is in charge of this effort; Rachel Anderson and Steve O'Brien are working to coordinate logistics of crate supplies purchased by Sycamore, and Frank Corwin is in charge of transport, including for other churches in the area. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions.
The larger program is an effort lead by the PCA Mission to the World program missionaries that normally are based in Ukraine and are now operating in both Poland and Ukraine. There's a FAQ on the MTW webpage here.