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.
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)?
Is CFU an MTW/PCA Crisis Response Initiative?
Joyfully - yes! The MTW Lviv team, part of MTW Team Ukraine was displaced/split between Krakow and Lviv due to the invasion. This MTW team is receiving and sending aid in connection with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine (EPCU) and to the most needy communities across war-torn Ukraine. MTW hopes to accompany this aid with personal engagement and sowing the seeds of long-term gospel community.
Why a courier instead of shipping?
1). Sending crates via a courier meets the urgency and is substantially cheaper than via Fed Ex (UPS, etc.) /shipping containers.
2). Flying with the crates streamlines the customs process as there is virtually no delay for bringing supplies in with a courier, whereas other routes are road-blocked by red tape and lots of paperwork.
3). We avoid custom fees and taxes.
What is the timeline of CFU and how soon do crates need to be couriered to Krakow?
The need is urgent! Our current timeline is summer 2022. We are PRAYING for God to raise up 200 churches and/or groups to register and courier their crates by August 31. We will assess the needs in Ukraine as the summer goes on and consider at that time if we should extend CFU or revise our supply lists. The sooner you can pack your crates and deliver them to Krakow, the better.
Click here to register your interest in future opportunities that might develop after Aug 31.
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. 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).
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 it to them.
Is it safe to travel to Krakow, Poland as a courier?
Yes. MTW has a team in Krakow including families and young children. Krakow is a modern European city and Poland is a member of the European Union. Krakow is a safe place to visit.
What is the minimum and maximum number of crates I can fly over?
Each couriers must bring at least 6 crates with them. Most airlines will allow a maximum of 10-14. You will need to check with your airline on the max number of crates allowed per person. A courier team may consist of 1-4 people but each person making the flight is expected to bring at least 6 crates.
Who all is involved with CFU and what is the "life cycle" of a crate?
What is the general info and overview of Crates For Ukraine (CFU)?
- Click here for a short video overview (3 minutes)
- Click here for a small CFU flyer (2 pager)
- Click here for a larger CFU flyer (4 pager)
- Click here to watch an extended video explaining the "WHAT" and the "WHY" behind Crates for Ukraine
Is CFU an MTW/PCA Crisis Response Initiative?
Joyfully - yes! The MTW Lviv team, part of MTW Team Ukraine was displaced/split between Krakow and Lviv due to the invasion. This MTW team is receiving and sending aid in connection with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine (EPCU) and to the most needy communities across war-torn Ukraine. MTW hopes to accompany this aid with personal engagement and sowing the seeds of long-term gospel community.
Why a courier instead of shipping?
1). Sending crates via a courier meets the urgency and is substantially cheaper than via Fed Ex (UPS, etc.) /shipping containers.
2). Flying with the crates streamlines the customs process as there is virtually no delay for bringing supplies in with a courier, whereas other routes are road-blocked by red tape and lots of paperwork.
3). We avoid custom fees and taxes.
What is the timeline of CFU and how soon do crates need to be couriered to Krakow?
The need is urgent! Our current timeline is summer 2022. We are PRAYING for God to raise up 200 churches and/or groups to register and courier their crates by August 31. We will assess the needs in Ukraine as the summer goes on and consider at that time if we should extend CFU or revise our supply lists. The sooner you can pack your crates and deliver them to Krakow, the better.
Click here to register your interest in future opportunities that might develop after Aug 31.
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. 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).
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 it to them.
Is it safe to travel to Krakow, Poland as a courier?
Yes. MTW has a team in Krakow including families and young children. Krakow is a modern European city and Poland is a member of the European Union. Krakow is a safe place to visit.
What is the minimum and maximum number of crates I can fly over?
Each couriers must bring at least 6 crates with them. Most airlines will allow a maximum of 10-14. You will need to check with your airline on the max number of crates allowed per person. A courier team may consist of 1-4 people but each person making the flight is expected to bring at least 6 crates.
Who all is involved with CFU and what is the "life cycle" of a crate?
- Packing Team: Individuals or teams within churches gather the aid and pack the crates.
- Courier Team: Individuals or teams who fly the crates from the US to Krakow, Poland.
- Ukraine Crisis Team: Volunteers from the US and Europe who are helping coordinate ‘Crates for Ukraine’, receive the crates in Krakow and drive it to L’viv, Ukraine.
- Ukrainian Church: Receive the crates 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.
