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A glimpse at what God has done so far through CFU and what we pray He will accomplish in Fall 2023!
“So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”
Acts 11:29-30
Acts 11:29-30
CFU Mission:
At the request of the Ukrainian Church and our national partners, to provide personal and humanitarian aid from the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of churches and displaced communities in Ukraine.
At the request of the Ukrainian Church and our national partners, to provide personal and humanitarian aid from the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of churches and displaced communities in Ukraine.
Follow the steps below
Have questions, visit our FAQ page
Have questions, visit our FAQ page
Join us in PRAYER
- Pray for God to end the war in Ukraine, grow His Church and give great faith to His people during this time of suffering.
- Pray for God to provide 1,500 crates of aid from 300 churches during the fall 2023 CFU project.
- Pray for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine as they receive aid, distribute aid and minister to those in need. May the Lord use CFU to create pathways for the Gospel and the formation of new Gospel communities.
ZOOM UPDATES FROM LVIV
with Doug Shepherd, MTW Team Lviv Leader
Updates on the war, the Ukrainian Church & CFU aid
UPCOMING
October 29
November 26
@ 2 pm central / 3 pm eastern
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88936272438
Sunday, July 30 (recording)
Sunday, August 27 (recording)
Sunday, September 24 (recording)
CFU aid distribution map
General FAQs
Click here for a full list of every FAQ
Click here for a full list of every FAQ
What is the general info and overview of Crates For Ukraine (CFU)?
Click here for basic info flyer.
- Register your participation by signing up - STEP 1
- Collect supplies per our master crate packing lists to fill crates (3 crate types to choose from) - STEP 2
- Deliver your crates to a Local Drop Point (LDP) - STEP 3
- LDPs store crates as needed and deliver them to our 2 primary warehouses (Chattanooga and Dallas)
- Crates are flown to Poland and shipped to Lviv, Ukraine (to Lviv Church of the Holy Trinity)
- Aid is delivered all over Ukraine to the most needy and vulnerable
What are the key changes and differences in this CFU aid project?
- There is NO flexibility on what you pack in a crate. You must pack the exact items and quantities listed on our master crate supply lists.
- There are no inventory sheets to track or upload.
- Crates are to be delivered to one of our many Local Drop Points (LDPs). LDPs will deliver all crates to our primary warehouses.
Is Crates For Ukraine (CFU) an MTW/PCA Crisis Response Initiative?
Joyfully - yes! The MTW Lviv team is receiving and sending aid in connection with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine (EPCU) and to the neediest communities across war-torn Ukraine. MTW hopes to accompany this aid with personal engagement and sowing the seeds of long-term gospel community.
What is the deadline to register with CFU and how soon do crates need to be delivered to a LOCAL DROP POINT (LDP)?
The need is urgent! Please pack and deliver your crates ASAP. We would like for you to register your participation ASAP and to deliver your crates to a LDP no later than November 21, 2023. We will close registration on Nov 10, 2023. As soon as we reach ~200 crates in either of our primary warehouses, we can have them transported to Ukraine.
Where is aid delivered in Ukraine and how is aid helping?
- Click here to see our CFU aid distribution map. We have already delivered aid to over 500 locations and we estimate that we have helped over 50,000 people so far.
- This video clip gives a small glimpse into how God is using the Ukrainian Church through CFU. If you want to view more MTW Ukraine videos, navigate to the bottom of this page.
- Follow us on instagram for CFU updates and photos.
What are ways to pray for CFU?
Why not buy aid in Europe?
We are in fact collecting specialized aid in Europe. However, CFU's mission is from the hands of the churches in the U.S. to the hands of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. This allows churches in the U.S. to get involved (many churches are asking for this opportunity). Additionally, the items on the CFU lists are cheaper and more readily available in the U.S. than Europe. We have specialized lists of different kinds of aid that is more readily available in Europe (this initiative is being handled separately from CFU). If you would prefer to make a donation to MTW Ukraine's crisis response in lieu of collecting and delivering aid, please click this link.
Is there a crate minimum to sign up?
No. We challenge you to commit to at least 4 crates (and at least one of each type). However, this is not required and you can pack any number of crates you want and any combination of crate types. Consider partnering with other churches in your area to reach the 4 crate suggested minimum. You can of course pack as many crates as you want... there is no maximum.
What are the costs associated with CFU and what do you expect participants to pay for?
- We expect those that register (Churches or individuals) to cover all costs associated with packing crates and delivering them to a LDP (see STEP 3 about delivery). To see the estimated cost to pack each crate type, see below under “Step Two FAQs”.
- MTW Ukraine covers shipping crates to Ukraine, warehouse costs in Lviv and the costs to deliver aid throughout Ukraine.
Why is there no flexibility on what is packed in the crates and what are the reasons for the items that are included on the master packing lists?
Crates For Ukraine (CFU) started as a way to respond to Ukrainian requests. This iteration of CFU is no different. The lack of flexibility of contents in this iteration is a response to the request from the front. Therefore, we are making a conscious choice to be more efficient and responsible across our entire aid program to these requests. The contents of the crates, and the particular amount of items, has been selected by our Lviv Aid Team. In response to the greatest needs in Ukraine the team has selected the right balance of items per crate. In addition to the efficiency per crate we also focused on the efficiency per crate in shipping. If each crate type has matching contents, then this allows streamlined U.S. shipping, export, transit and importing of goods.
How do we know the aid is getting where it is needed most in Ukraine?
The distribution of aid in Ukraine is overseen by our Ukrainian pastors and Ukrainian believing community that our MTW teams have had trusted partnerships and relationships for over 30 years. They do a regular assessment of those who have the most need and how to get aid to them. Click here to see our aid distribution map.
Who all is involved with CFU and what is the "life cycle" of a crate?
- Buyers: Individuals or teams within churches that buy and collect supplies.
- Packing Team: Individuals or teams within churches who gather the aid and pack the crates.
- Local Drop Points: Churches or individuals who receive crates from others and deliver them to one of our primary U.S. warehouses.
- Transit Team: U.S. based companies that receive crates in Dallas or Chattanooga. Crates are then flown to Poland and then shipped to our local warehouse in Lviv, Ukraine.
- Ukrainian Church: Receive the crates in Lviv and then distribute the aid across Ukraine to those in need.
- Ukrainian People in Need: Receive the aid, knowing that Christ cares for them and that people from around the world care for them.
Is there a way to order and ship supplies to another church who is packing crates?
YES! This is an option, but please consider packing crates with your own church or partnering with other churches in your area before going with the "CLICK & SHIP" option. We are praying for 1,500 crates and 300 churches to get involved. To hit this goal we really need churches and individuals to commit to their own crates (we have local drop points all over the U.S.). However, we realize this may not be practical or feasible for everyone for a variety of reasons. If this first option doesn't work for you, then you may purchase and ship approved aid items using our "CLICK & SHIP" option (click the link to find out more and to buy approved items from our Amazon wish list).
Can we pack and send encouraging notes in our crates?
Please do NOT add anything extra to your crates (this is very critical). Only provide items on the supply lists. HOWEVER, we would love for you to mail encouraging notes and / or drawings by children to Cindy Rhea. We will collect them and send them to Ukraine. We have been asked by many in Ukraine to collect and provide these types of items. Mail encouraging notes to:
Cindy Rhea
c/o PCPC
4124 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75219
Cindy Rhea
c/o PCPC
4124 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75219
There are other organizations already providing aid in Ukraine. Why not just go through them?
Other organizations are in Ukraine and doing great work which we are grateful for. We are not intending to replicate aid that is already being met by other organizations. "Crates for Ukraine" purpose is focused on a few specific goals:
1.) Connect the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of our partner churches in Ukraine.
2.) Provide aid that has been specifically requested by the churches in Ukraine.
3.) Provide aid that is packaged in such a way that is easily mobile and can travel throughout Ukraine quickly.
1.) Connect the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of our partner churches in Ukraine.
2.) Provide aid that has been specifically requested by the churches in Ukraine.
3.) Provide aid that is packaged in such a way that is easily mobile and can travel throughout Ukraine quickly.
Are there customs and import taxes to fly crates to Europe and who covers the costs?
At this time, there are no custom taxes for approved humanitarian aid.
Do you have flyers I can use to promote CFU?
Yes, click here for our general info flyer. Feel free to print, share and use this as much as you like.
When Crates are delivered throughout Ukraine, do you include any materials with the crates or indicate who sent the aid?
Yes. Each crate gets 2 labels attached to the outside of the crate as noted below. The crates do not include other materials or come with other expectations.
1). The first label has Isaiah 43:2-3 printed out in its entirety.
2). The second label says the following:
Humanitarian Aid Center of the Lviv Reformed Church of the Holy Trinity
Done for the glory of God and the victory of Ukraine.
Church contact phone number is listed.
www.lvivtserkva.com (the Lviv church website with resources, sermons, etc)
www.kraynebo.com (the Reformed Ukrainian Publishing House with books, articles, resources, etc)
Click this link to see a photo of the labels.
1). The first label has Isaiah 43:2-3 printed out in its entirety.
2). The second label says the following:
Humanitarian Aid Center of the Lviv Reformed Church of the Holy Trinity
Done for the glory of God and the victory of Ukraine.
Church contact phone number is listed.
www.lvivtserkva.com (the Lviv church website with resources, sermons, etc)
www.kraynebo.com (the Reformed Ukrainian Publishing House with books, articles, resources, etc)
Click this link to see a photo of the labels.
WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT OTHER QUESTIONS NOT ON THE FAQ PAGE?
- First, please check our complete list of FAQs related to each of the 3 primary steps of CFU.
- If you have a question related to a LDP, please contact Cindy Rhea. Please do NOT contact Cindy to coordinate delivery with your LDP. All deliveries are to be coordinated directly with your LDP (see STEP 3).
- For all other general questions, please contact Bradley Cordell.
