FAQs

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.
GENERAL FAQs
What is the general info and overview of Crates For Ukraine (CFU)? 
Click here for basic info flyer.
Click here for a short overview video.
Click here for an extended video explaining CFU. 
​​
​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 Dallas or Chattanooga?
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 no later than March 16, 2023. We will close registration on March 1, 2023. 

How is this current CFU initiative different from the summer 2022 CFU project?
  • The key difference for the winter CFU initiative is that we no longer need couriers to fly crates to Poland. All crates will be delivered to either Dallas or Chattanooga. We have (2) partner shipping companies that are helping us collect, palletize, fly and deliver aid to Lviv. These companies are providing their services to us for free!
  • We have updated and revised our supply lists to include some winter supplies and other items requested by the Ukrainian Church.
  • We are using a different plastic bin for our crates (due to the fact that crates are no longer checked on commercial flights).

Where is aid delivered in Ukraine and how is aid helping?

​What is the timeline and route of aid from the time it is delivered to Dallas or Chattanooga to the time it is delivered to those in need in Ukraine?
  • Palletized for shipping in Dallas / Chattanooga = 1-3 days
  • Delivered to Flexport (our partner shipping company) for air transit to Vienna, Austria = 5-7 days
  • Transport by truck from Vienna to Lviv = 2-3 days
  • Sorted in Lviv warehouse = 3-7 days
  • Delivered to various churches and cities all over Ukraine = 2-3 days

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. 

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 the warehouses in Dallas or Chattanooga (see STEP 3 about delivery). To see the estimated cost to pack each crate, see below under “Step Two FAQs”. 
  • The cost to palletize crates and ship them to Lviv is being donated and/or covered by others. Two international companies are donating their costs to help and are providing their services at no cost to us. 
  • MTW Ukraine covers the warehouse costs in Lviv and the costs to deliver aid throughout Ukraine. 

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 are in most need and how to get aid to them. 

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 gather the aid and pack the crates.
  • U.S. Delivery Team:  Individuals or teams who deliver crates to Dallas or Chattanooga. 
  • Transit Team:  (2) U.S. based companies that receive crates in Dallas or Chattanooga. Crates are then flown to Vienna, Austria and then shipped to our local warehouse in Lviv, Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian Church:  Receive the crates in Lviv and then distribute the crates 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.

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
Dallas, TX 75219
STEP ONE FAQs - "Signing up" and registering for CFU

Do I really need to sign up to participate?
Yes, please register your intent to pack and deliver crates (see STEP ONE). This helps us plan, strategize and connect with you.
 
Wait a second, I want to participate but I can't commit to packing 4 crates and I may not be able to deliver my crates to Dallas or Chattanooga, how can I help?
There are many ways to help and engage. You are not required to pack 4 crates but we strongly encourage you to try for at least 4. You can partner with other churches or donate supplies to others in your area. We encourage groups to partner and collaborate with one another. Depending on where you live, it may not be financially practical to deliver less than 4 crates to the warehouses in Dallas or Chattanooga. We offer several partner churches in multiple cities to serve as "local drop points" for those who wish to pack less than 4 crates or who cannot deliver to Dallas or Chattanooga. See STEP THREE and the question below for more info about "local drop points".

Where are the "local drop points" if I can't deliver my crates to Dallas or Chattanooga?
Please note, delivering to Dallas or Chattanooga directly is ideal and very helpful. However, we offer several intermediate "local drop points" at various cities. See STEP THREE for a complete list of "local drop point" locations and for more info on how "local drop points" work. If you are interested in serving as a local drop point, please let us know when you register or email Bradley Cordell. 

Who pays for what?
See the answer to this question above under “General FAQs”.
 
What is the typical cost to pack a crate?
See the answer to this question below under “Step Two FAQs”.
STEP TWO FAQs - "Collecting & Packing" CFU supplies

Can I buy and pack supplies not on the packing list?
NO! It is imperative that you only pack supplies on the lists (see additional details and reasons below). 
 
Why do you only have these particular items on the supply lists?
Why can't I add other contents to the crates?
There are several reasons for the specific supply lists. 1). The list of items are specific requests from the Ukrainian churches. 2) These items alone have been cleared for export/import. Adding additional items can create challenges and problems for export/import. PLEASE only provide items specifically on the supply lists.
 
What are the typical costs to pack each crate type?
The cost to pack a crate can vary widely depending on which type of crate you pack and what types of supplies you use to fill it. Here is a general budget for each crate type (your costs could be more or less depending on what you put in the crates). 
  • Basic Wound Care Crate #1 ~ $1,200 - $2,500 (highest priority and most needed)
  • Basic Med Crate #2 ~ $800-$1,500
  • Basic Care Crate #3 ~ $300-$850
Click this link to see a few sample crates showing quantity of items and estimated costs.
 
What is the minimum and maximum number of crates I can deliver to Dallas or Chattanooga?
There is no max and no min to deliver. However, we strongly encourage you to commit to at least 4 crates. Obviously, the further away you live from these 2 drop off locations, the more practical it is to increase your delivery crate count for efficiency. 
 
What do the crates look like and where can I buy them?
Click the links below for various purchasing options. We are using Sterilite 27 gallon industrial totes ("bins") for our crates. Dimensions: 30 1/2" L x 20 5/8" W x 15 1/4" H
Amazon 4 pack 
Walmart 4 pack 
Target 4 pack 
**note, we launched CFU in December with an "IRIS" brand crate but we made a change to Sterilite because it is a better quality crate. If you already bought IRIS, it's ok to use it. If possible, please swap to this Sterilite crate. 

What if I want to pack crates but I can't deliver them to Dallas or Chattanooga?
No problem. Fill out the registration form and we will seek to connect you with others in your area who can transport your crates. We also offer several partner churches in multiple cities that will serve as local drop points. For a full list of these locations, see above under the FAQs for STEP ONE. 
 
Can I use other types of crates or storage bins to pack supplies?
No! It is very important that you use the exact crates specified in the packing instructions file. The crates we have selected meet pallet and air freight shipping requirements. They also allow our Ukraine based convoy teams to quickly and efficiently pack vans and transport supplies within Ukraine. 

Is there a crate weight limit?
No. Pack as much as you can in each crate and do not worry about the weight. The more you can fit into your crates, the better. 
STEP THREE FAQs - "Delivering" your crates

I finished packing my crates and I'm ready to deliver my crates to Dallas or Chattanooga. Now what?
Click here to see our online delivery instructions. 

Where are the "local drop points" if I can't deliver my crates to Dallas or Chattanooga?
Please note, delivering to Dallas or Chattanooga directly is ideal and very helpful. However, we do offer several intermediate "local drop points" at various cities. See STEP THREE for a complete list of "local drop point" locations and for more info on how "local drop points" work. If you are interested in serving as a local drop point, please let us know when you register or email Bradley Cordell. 

​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. 

Can I ship my crates directly to the Dallas or Chattanooga warehouses?
No. We cannot accept crates shipped via companies like UPS or FedEx for a variety of reasons. Please deliver your crates to one of our warehouses or to a local drop point (see STEP THREE). Or, please consider partnering with other churches in your area to collect additional crates and deliver them directly to one of our warehouses. 
Other Questions
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 US to the hands of our 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.

Do you have flyers I can use to promoted CFU?
Yes, click here for our flyer. ​

Can you share some testimonials and success stories?
Summary update letter from our summer CFU project with photos, videos, maps, stories and more on how God has used CFU for His kingdom and glory.
Click here to read a recent MTW blog post about the summer Crates for Ukraine initiative. 
​
​I read everything on the CFU website but I still have questions, who can I contact?
Bradley Cordell
"Crates for Ukraine" is a ministry of MTW Ukraine and MTW Team Lviv in partnership with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine.