Buckets of Thanks project delivers hope one bucket at a time

Volunteers with the Mennonite Central Committee stand in front of five-gallon buckets to be filled with hygiene supplies that will be sent to families in Malawi and Zambia. Contributed photo

By Diane Danen

The community came together, Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Hub in New Hamburg for the Buckets of Thanks program, an annual fall event that brings volunteers together to pack relief kits for people in need around the world.

More than 200 relief kits were packed during the event, thanks to the efforts of local volunteers who played a key role in making the day a success.

The majority of the kits were funded through the New Hamburg Thrift Centres Round Up for Relief Campaign, held in the spring. Customers were invited to round their purchases up to the nearest dollar, with those small contributions adding up to make a significant impact. The funds helped purchase the supplies needed to fill the kits.

The five-gallon buckets were packed with essential hygiene products, containing items to support a family of four.

Keeping clean is an important part of staying healthy. Hygiene kits can provide practical assistance to families facing difficult circumstances while also offering a message of hope and compassion.

The buckets packed in New Hamburg will be included in upcoming international relief shipments to Zambia and Malawi. Once the hygiene supplies have been used, the buckets themselves can be repurposed for a variety of household needs.

While packing relief kits was the main focus of the day, the Buckets of Thanks program offered plenty of opportunities for family and friends to enjoy the event together. Activities and refreshments were available, and a bouncy castle provided plenty of entertainment for the kids.

Volunteers continue to be the driving force behind this project and the many initiatives at MCC. By giving their time and energy, they help turn locally donated funds and supplies into practical support for families around the world.

 For MCC, the kits are more than the items inside the buckets, they are a tangible way to communicate compassion and care to people facing hardship and to put into action the call to love our neighbours.

For more information about MCC relief kits and how to get involved, visit mccthriftontario.com.