MCC Kit Contents

New items only. Please limit your generosity to the contents listed.

AIDS care kits
Health kits
Newborn kits
School kits
Sewing kits
Relief kits 

A ready-to-print list of all these kit contents

Instructions for making health/school/sewing kit bags
Overlocker/serger instructions

Please note that smaller bags are no longer preferred for health kits and sewing kits. All donated bags will be used, but please be sure to sew 11" x 16" drawstring bags for school, health, and sewing kits from this point forward.
A prayer while sewing MCC kit bags

AIDS care kits: Place contents in a drawstring shoulder bag (here's how to make AIDS care kit shoulder bags).

• 1 bar bath soap (4-5 oz., in wrapper)
• 1 bath towel (medium weight, bright color)
• 1 washcloth (bright color)
• 2 flat bed sheets (twin-size)
• 2 pillowcases (standard size)
• 2 yards fabric (poly-cotton, bright color)
• 1 pair rubber gloves (large size, for household cleaning)
• 1 container petroleum jelly (approx. 13 oz., sealed in plastic bag)
• 1 container medicated body powder (i.e., Gold Bond; approx. 10 oz.)
• $100 to purchase medicines and Bibles for people living with AIDS, to train volunteers in basic home health care, and to provide food and travel allowances for volunteers. (Make check payable to “MCC - AIDS Care Kit.”)

Health kits: Place contents in a fabric double drawstring bag, 28 cm x 40.6 cm / 11" x 16".

• 1 toothbrush (adult size, leave in wrapper)
• 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 100 ml / 6 oz, leave in box)
• 1 bar soap (90-140 g / 4-5 oz, in wrapper)
• 1 fingernail clipper
• 1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color)

Newborn kits: Size 3 to 9 months. Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold items into receiving blanket. Fasten together with safety pins.

• 2 gowns/sleepers (lightweight cotton)
• 2 undershirts/sacques/onesies (short or long sleeves)
• 4 cloth diapers (flat-folded preferred)
• 1 receiving blanket (lightweight cotton or flannel)
• 4 safety pins (5 cm / 2")
• 1 bar mild soap (4-5 oz.)

School kits: Place contents in a fabric double drawstring bag, 28 cm x 40.6 cm / 11" x 16".

• 4 spiral notebooks or notebooks with perforations (about 21.5cm x 27cm / 8.5" x 10.5" and 70-80 sheets each)
• 4 unsharpened #2 pencils
• 1 ruler (flexible plastic; indicating both 30 cm and 12")
• 1 box of colored pencils (12 exactly, please; do not send crayons; they can melt!)
• 1 large pencil eraser

Sewing kits: Place contents in a fabric double drawstring bag, 28 cm x 40.6 cm / 11" x 16".

• 1 metric tape measure
• 2 spools dual use white thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273 m / 300 yards each)
• 2 spools dual use black thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273 m / 300 yards each)
• 1 thimble (medium size)
• 1 dressmaker's scissors (good quality)
• 1 pkg. needles (approx. 25)
• 1 pkg. straight pins (approx. 100)
• 1 pkg. hooks and eyes (approx. 12)
• 1 pkg. snap fasteners (approx. 20-25)
• 10 assorted safety pins

Relief kits (for a family of four): Place contents in a box.

• 4 bars bath soap
• 1 plastic bottle shampoo (450-830 ml / 13-24 oz; place in plastic bag)
• 10 cups of powdered laundry detergent (Double bag in 4 liter / 1 gallon re-sealable plastic bags)
• 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 100 ml / 6 oz)
• 4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)
• 4 bath towels (medium weight, dark color)
• 1 hairbrush
• 1 wide-tooth comb
• 1 fingernail clipper
• 1 box adhesive bandages (minimum 40, assorted)
• 1 package sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi or ultra thin)

To find the drop-off location nearest you, go to Mennonite Central Committee's material aid webpage or call them, toll-free: (Akron, Pa.) (888) 563-4676; or (Winnipeg, Man.) (888) 622-6337.

A prayer while sewing MCC kit bags

Our heavenly Father,
How grieved you must feel when you see
   all the vicious cycles of distrust, fear,
   abuse of power, encouragement to hate,
   and preoccupation of war
   that our world is so focused on.
Lord, hear our cries for peace
   and the salvation of all people
   worldwide who you love
   and sent Jesus to this earth to redeem.
Holy Spirit, as I sew this school kit,
   I pray especially for the children
   who are so vulnerable –
   May this bag be filled not only with supplies
   to aid them to get a basic education,
   but filled also with our love
   and continuing prayer for them.
As I sew this health kit bag,
   I pray that you will restore a sense of self-worth
   and hope for the receiver,
   that they may believe You love them
   and have a future for them.

I ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

–Rhoda Charles, from “Threads of Truth” (May 2003), the newsletter of Mennonite Women of Lancaster Conference

2.5.2007