Adventure 748: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post F

We had a perfect day on our last full day here in Kansas. Rod and I drove to North Newton to do volunteer work at the Mennonite Central Committee building which left Judy and Karen a full day of devoted sister time. Rod volunteers every week, and this is the third time I've gone with him which means we've brought Fric and Frac through Manhattan at least three times. There are many groups that do humanitarian work, but few do it as well as the Mennonites. One arm of Mennonite aid is their disaster relief program. Judy and I participated one year for a week South of Oklahoma city after two successive tornadoes ripped through the area. Judy helped in the kitchen and I helped with the building crew.  We replaced the deck on one family's trailer and built a protective covering over another family's well. The second family had been hit twice by the tornadoes. The first took their house. FEMA replaced the house with a trailer. The second tornado took the trailer. When I met the man who owned the property, he and his family were living in a pick up camper that neighbors had set on blocks. Today's volunteer work is more ongoing. Rod and I spent the day sorting shoes, purses, back packs, and coats. Others sort cardboard for recycle. Others sort books which are cut and the paper is graded and sorted. Others gather clothes into 1100 lb. bales for resale. In addition, the Mennonites donate food which is processed right at the center, shipped to Akron, Ohio, and then sent around the world. Finally, the Mennonites around the country hold annual MCC sales, the profits of which help send relief in the form of food and volunteers to places in need around the world. Not only do the programs recycle used goods, but the goods are repurposed for the benefit of those who need it. It feels good to be of some service, even if it's just a day of volunteer work. I smile when I think of helping even just a little bit because it makes me believe that life is good, especially today.

The warehouse building stores the bales of clothes, the cardboard, the food, and the items gathered for the annual MCC sale.

The Mennonite Central Committee building. Storehouse in the back.

Each bale weighs about 1100 lbs. The bales are sold at $.20/lb.or about $220.00. The money goes for disaster relief. The clothes, which a re perfectly good and clean go to those in need.

The shoes are sold for an amount. I don't know how much, but again they are given to those in need.

Books are sorted into two paper qualities: white and pulp. The paper is sold, and again, the profits go to the disaster relief fund.

Once a year the center spends and entire day preparing canned meat which is sent around the world.

Three paid employees coordinate aa slew of volunteers.

While we sorted in Newton, the sisters did sewing projects, took Karen to physical therapy, at a corn dog at the local Sonic, and otherwise enjoyed their day.

Part of the disaster relief is putting together tubs of tools which are delivered wherever they're needed.

Once the clothes are baled, they are secured with wire and moved to the storage building.

Upwards of 98% of the monies by the Mennonite Central Committee collected make it to those in need.

Rod found this old leather helmut among the shoes. I think he suffered a concussion.

A finished bale.

While clothes, shoes, cardboard, and books are sorted, lady volunteers put together what they call "Quilter's Corner" kits, which are sold at the MCC sale. They also gather finished quilts which are auctioned off at the sale. It's all pretty inspiring, especially since it's effort born of love and concern for our fellow man. I think that's how Jesus said it should be.