kits | CWS

Rebuilding Hope: How CWS Blankets and Kits Are Transforming Lives at the Nehemiah Mission

Nick Gliha | February 26, 2025

The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland is dedicated to rebuilding hope and transforming communities by providing meals, temporary housing, and support for displaced families. During a visit, CWS’s Nick Gliha witnessed their powerful work firsthand—from serving warm meals to offering CWS Blankets and Kits to those in need. Below is his blog written about the recent experience. Providing Hope Through Meals …

CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets prepared for distribution

1,700 Buckets Bring Hope After Hurricanes

Imagine you’re living in an area reeling from the aftermath of a hurricane. You don’t have electricity or a way to contact loved ones. The food in your refrigerator has expired after a few short days, and you’re unsure where to go for the critical supplies your family needs. How would you navigate the uncertainty with limited resources and no phone to guide the way?

Living out their mission of “connecting God’s resources with human need,” Mission Central connects communities in the U.S. and around the world with essential resources like emergency supplies. In October, after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the Southeast less than two weeks apart, Mission Central donated 1,717 CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets to provide critical relief to disaster-stricken areas.

Through their work, Mission Central connects with volunteers in the area, who dedicate their time to supporting communities near and far in emergency situations. “We have a community that’s very supportive of these efforts,” Hope Harrison, Executive Director of Mission Central, shared. “We’re fortunate that people all over the place are willing to help and not only put their time into it, which is really important, but also put their money in to help those in need. It really tugs on heartstrings.”

Hope recalled one volunteer, whose family had lost their electricity and had no way of accessing food or services. The volunteer recommended them to Mission Central, which acts as a hub for families in the area who are facing uncertainty and in need of essential supplies. Hope shared, “We are a place people can go when they can’t access the supplies they need.”

In addition to disaster response, Mission Central has provided support for immigrant and refugee newcomers through CWS Harrisburg. “We have helped [CWS Harrisburg] over the years with cleaning supplies for immigrant families. They were just in last week looking for items, and I love that we can help on a broad scale and also engage in local communities and the needs that they have.”

CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets support families reeling from disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and generous contributions from communities and partners like Mission Central helps to build hope and relief during a time of uncertainty.

CWS is grateful to our CWS Kits and Buckets supporters who make disaster response efforts like this possible. You can donate now to help us stay prepared and have essential supplies on-hand to distribute to families and communities that need them most.

You can learn more about the work of Mission Central and CWS’ response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton here.

Stories of Change

Top: Duane and his CROP Walk Organizing Team wearing "be the good" shirts, Middle: Duane, Bottom: Kit building event organized by Duane

A Life Driven For and By Community

For Duane Mevis, a retired United Methodist Minister, the notion of coming together to make the world a better place has been a lifelong guiding principle. At 90 years old, he reflects on a life shaped by values that first took root on his family’s dairy farm in Wisconsin; values that would end up guiding him through a life driven by philanthropy and helping our neighbors both near and far.

One of the most important lessons Duane learned early on came from his father, who worked tirelessly to improve the land they farmed. “My father worked very hard to build up the soil, and he always taught me to leave the soil and the farm better than we found it,” Duane recalls. “That was his mission and goal, and I caught that from early on.”

Duane also reflected on the importance of both helping and receiving help from his neighbors. “In those days, we didn’t have the big equipment that people have now so we did a lot of work cooperatively with about half a dozen neighbors and I really had fun doing that. I always looked forward to working with my neighbors; that made the work seem to go better and be more enjoyable especially when we would eat at each other’s houses, it was like a big picnic.”

Duane’s love for community, his connection to growing food and his deep Christian faith eventually led him to the intersection of all three: CROP Hunger Walks. His involvement began in the 1960s when volunteers would drive tractors and trailers to farmers, collecting corn and soybeans to distribute to those in need. With time, the CROP Hunger Walks evolved and changed but the spirit of giving has remained the same.

After moving to Aurora, Illinois with his wife and children Duane was asked to organize and lead his first local CROP Hunger Walk. The walk still runs today, and its success propelled him to continue organizing other walks. In 1982, he established a walk in Naperville, Illinois, which has since raised over $1.5 million. For more than 50 years, Duane has dedicated himself to CWS CROP Hunger Walks. Even after moving into a senior residence 13 years ago, he continues his efforts, forming yet another CROP Hunger Walk team. Last year, his community raised $18,000, contributing to a total of $133,000 raised by the residents.

While these numbers are rather impressive, what stands out the most about Duane’s leadership is the uniquely intentional care and understanding Duane has for the members of his own community. While the CROP Hunger Walks at the residence have been a huge success, Duane recognized that walking long distances may become more and more difficult for the residents so he began organizing CWS Kit building sessions with the community. He shared, “For seniors especially, I think they like to feel that they’re really doing something besides just writing a check. That’s important to do but not as fun as filling kits and then seeing a box get filled and shipped off.”

The messaging behind CWS’ work is something that has deeply resonated with Duane who shared that the phrase “be the good” really stood out to him. Duane, who has been led by a life of faith, stated, “I think loving our neighbor and serving is a critical part of Christianity.” He added the importance of practical Christianity explaining that his passion and commitment to philanthropy “is a way to connect faith and works.”

Even after nine decades, Duane recognizes that the fight to care for his neighbors is far from over. “I always hoped the time would come when we had met the hunger need, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen right away,” he said. “So we need to keep on keeping on.”

Thanks to individuals like Duane, CWS continues its mission, ensuring that together, we will keep on keeping on, until the work is finished.

Duane Mevis has been recognized by Church World Service as a CWS Changemaker. This campaign is a celebration of the broad community of long-time volunteers, program partners, staff and donors who allow CWS work to be possible. You can learn more about CWS Changemakers by clicking here. To learn about how you can get involved in your local CROP Hunger Walk, click here.

Hope After Helene: CWS Emergency Response

October 1, 2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the full extent of the devastation is still being uncovered. With over 130 confirmed fatalities, widespread flooding and millions without power, communities across the Southeast are facing long-term recovery efforts. Thousands of homes have sustained major structural damage or been destroyed, and federal disaster declarations have been issued in several states, including Florida and …

CWS Period Pack assembly by the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) in Columbus, OH

Uniting to Combat Period Poverty

This June, the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) assembled 100 CWS Period Packs during the annual Adult Conference in Columbus. With support from the generosity of many congregations, CWS was able to purchase supplies for these Kits, which are filled with essential items like tampons, soap and flushable wipes.

“CWS is so blessed to have generous congregations and donors that care about menstrual justice. Each year, they share their love for our neighbors through the simple act of kindness of sharing hygiene supplies with others. And we’re so grateful for their compassion towards others,” said Matthew Stevens, CWS’ Director of Congregational Campaigns.

The assembled CWS Period Packs were delivered to our affiliate partners at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) in Columbus, which supports refugees and immigrants in the Central Ohio community reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency and achieve successful integration in their new homes. Through CRIS, these CWS Period Packs will be shared with newly arriving families to provide them with essential supplies upon their arrival in the United States.

Andrew Gifford, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager, shared about the experience of people of faith coming together to address the needs of our neighbors. “Seeing people unite to meet the needs of our neighbors is truly inspiring. Creating CWS Period Packs is a powerful way for compassionate individuals to make a meaningful impact, both in their local communities and across the nation. Together, we can bring comfort and dignity to those who need it most.”

Hygiene items can be expensive, and these donated Period Packs will help ease the financial burden for our new neighbors. By meeting this crucial need, we extend a warm and supportive welcome to those starting their new lives in our community.

CWS Period Packs are part of a joint menstrual hygiene kit initiative with UMCOR to provide essential health and dignity products to vulnerable communities across the U.S. Kits are easy to assemble and cost an estimated $25 to make. Learn more about CWS Period Packs and how you can help end period poverty on the CWS Kits website.

Stories of Change

Youth participants at the United Church of Christ Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event

Youth Make a Difference in Combating Period Poverty

In July, the United Church of Christ (UCC) Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event, held at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, showcased the power of youth activism and community service. In collaboration with Church World Service, over 200 youth from the West Regional Conference and the Great Lakes Conference came together for a special project aimed at combating period poverty and supporting local unhoused youth.

“We are so excited that the youth could gather this year to learn about sharing with others. Our theme is ‘Love is greater than fear’ and our hope is the youth will leave being inspired to make the world a better place,” said Samantha Barrett, one of the organizers of the UCC Regional Youth Gathering.

The highlight of the event was the assembly of 500 CWS Period Packs. This initiative was a part of a broader focus to end period poverty and ensure that menstrual hygiene products are accessible to those in need. These efforts were a testament to the commitment of UCC youth to making a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.

Rachel Kessel, CWS’ Community Engagement Specialist, was amazed by the energy of the youth and their dedication to social justice. “I was inspired by their dedication and giving spirits of the committed youth. They had so much fun with this project, and they really knew that they were making a difference with the local and global communities.”

In addition to the period packs, another group of dedicated youth assembled Unhoused Kits for The Project, a local agency dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the Quad City area. Many of these youth experience homelessness and a lack of mental health and other essential services. The UCC youth successfully donated 250 CWS Period Packs, 60 CWS Blankets and 250 Unhoused Kits to The Project, providing much-needed support for these vulnerable individuals.

The remaining 250 CWS Period Packs will be distributed by CWS to other agencies and in emergency situations, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative extend even further.

Jon Skogen, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager, understands the importance of teaching young people about caring for their community. “I was encouraged that the youth were willing to help with whatever was needed—including assembling of the Kits, moving of the boxes and loading of the cars. I was so impressed with how they were being serious and having fun at the same time. They love helping other people!”

This collaborative effort between CWS and the UCC youth not only addressed critical issues but also demonstrated the power of young people to effect positive change. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration to all, highlighting the importance of community and service.

“This project was only possible because of our partnership with the United Church of Christ and other generous denominations and donors. These amazing partners make an impact around the world. CWS loves working with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and it is so important to our mission. I hope we inspired these youth to continue to support community service projects for many more years to come,” said David Costellow, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager.

CWS is grateful to the generous donors who make this important work possible. Your support is crucial in enabling us to partner with other groups for these impactful projects and to bring hope to those in need.

To learn more and get involved in the CWS Kits program, visit our website.

Finding Hope After Disaster Strikes

July 22, 2024

On July 7, 2024, Hurricane Beryl struck the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing heavy rains, high winds and widespread power outages that left over two million people in the dark. Flood warnings were posted along the coast, and high winds and water caused widespread damage and debris for millions. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, CWS …

Top: NC FIELD staff Middle and Bottom: CWS Blanket and Welcome Backpack distribution

Caring for Those Who Take Care of Us

If you open your fridge and find any type of vegetation, there is a good chance it was produced by a migrant farmworker. These hard-working men and women make up about 73% of the nation’s agriculture workforce and quietly ensure that anyone living in the U.S. has fresh food to put on the table. While they take care of all of us, however, oftentimes there is no one taking care of them.

This is where our partnership with organizations like NC FIELD comes into play. NC FIELD’s mission is simple: to ensure that marginalized communities have equitable access to resources and that the communities they live in are inclusive. “In this area, the people who are in most need of services are migrant farmworkers because they have the lowest access to health and social services,” explained Amy Elkins, program coordinator for NC FIELD.

Amy, who has been around this community since she was a child, explained the harsh reality that these individuals live in. “They usually leave for work around 4:00 AM and then are back home around midnight to 1:00 AM. They sleep for a couple of hours, take a shower, eat and then they’re up again at 4:00 AM. It’s very long hours and very hard work.”

These work conditions are even harder when temperatures drop in North Carolina and families don’t have enough blankets to stay warm when they are home. To combat this, NC FIELD reached out to CWS to request some CWS Blankets. As soon as the farm workers arrived from a long day of work, NC FIELD staff was there to hand out CWS warm wool blankets. “They had just arrived and were freezing. They literally didn’t even have coats. They were so grateful and so happy,” Amy recounted. “Just look at their big smiles in the photos!”

In addition to the blankets, CWS also gave NC Field CWS School Kits to the children in these families. When you are working so many long hours and just trying to stay afloat, the last thing on your mind is a quick run to the store for school supplies. “They’re in survival mode,” Amy stated. “We also have a lot of single mothers so these supplies were a huge help.” She added, “It’s so heartwarming to be able to help because there is so much scarcity. When these kids are able to have these school bags and supplies and not have to struggle, it makes them happier.”

At the end of the day, without organizations like NC FIELD and the volunteers who help create and organize our Kits and Blankets, the needs of some of our hardest-working neighbors would not be met. As Amy said, “They are putting food on our tables, but they don’t have access to basic human rights.” We are proud to work with organizations like NC FIELD to meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities and ensure they have warmth and care.

Click here to learn more about how you can get involved in our Kits and Blankets program.

Stories of Change

Beth with her daughter and granddaughter in Bosnia

Beth’s Impact from Danville to Abroad

If you take a trip to Burundi or Bosnia, there’s a chance you may spot a couple of CWS CROP Hunger Walk t-shirts floating around. This is thanks to Beth Bauman, one of our CROP Walk volunteers and world travelers who has brought these t-shirts to hand out to people in need while on her trips. Beth’s kindness and generosity are visible in these shirts and in the many years she has dedicated to CWS.

Beth has served as CROP Walk Chair at Mt. Vernon UMC in Danville, Virginia for the past 13 years. Her first experience with CWS, however, dates all the way back to the 80’s when she participated in her first CROP Walk in Knoxville, Tennesse. “In my memory, the walk was 26 miles,” Beth shared with laughter. “Now I know that that’s hard to believe, but you would get pledges per mile walked and we walked all over Knoxville uphills and downhills. For months afterward, I could hardly walk up the steps to my office.”

Beth’s commitment to CWS’ mission is largely inspired by her daughter and son-in-law who are both humanitarian workers. Most of Beth’s trips around the world have been to visit her daughter, and she is especially passionate about the work CWS Africa does since her son-in-law and granddaughter are Burundian. Beth also shared that her daughter, who works for UNICEF, has often partnered with CWS and added, “I’m really passionate about CWS and development work around the world.”

On her most recent trip to visit her daughter in Bosnia, Beth reached out to CWS to see if there were any t-shirts she could bring. One of the refugee shelters where her daughter works was experiencing a lice breakout and desperately needed clean clothes. Through the support of CWS staff, Beth was able to bring 60 brand-new t-shirts to the shelter. She noted that most refugees there were on their way to other countries and said with a smile, “I’m just picturing our t-shirts just trickling throughout Europe.”

In Danville, Beth is most excited by the way CROP Walks brings people from all walks of life together. She explained that diversity is very important to her and over the past years, her planning team has been intentional about welcoming their doors to churches and communities that they may otherwise never get the chance to meet. “That has been a real joy,” Beth said.

Whether she’s in Danville, Virginia or somewhere across the world, Beth is spreading joy and making a real impact. CWS is thankful for volunteers like Beth who share our mission and help us spread our impact every day.

To learn more about how you can get involved in CWS’ volunteer opportunities, click here.

Stories of Change

Top: Josh Posten and volunteer distribute blankets. Middle: CWS blanket recipient. Bottom: CWS Kits and Blankets. Photos by Nathan Agin

Warming the City and Saving Lives

On Christmas Day, it’s Bethlehem on Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio. At this event, First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ, also known as First Church, puts their faith into action. First Church invites their neighbors who may be experiencing homelessness, poverty, or food insecurity to join. Participants receive gifts which include a warm meal, clothing, CWS Hygiene Kits and CWS Blankets.

As temperatures drop to freezing, participants of this event look forward to receiving CWS wool and fleece blankets. Jim Lowe, who coordinates the event each year with his wife, recalls the event participants eagerly asking about the blankets as soon as they entered the building.

Each year following the event, First Church reaches out to local organizations to continue sharing the gifts from Christmas day. One of the organizations that received gifts this year was the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless.

The Columbus Coalition for the Homeless was created to advocate for people experiencing homelessness in the city. In the wake of the pandemic, as businesses closed, finding a safe space to warm up became increasingly difficult. “There was nowhere to go,” explains Josh Posten, a Program Coordinator at the Coalition. In response to this new challenge, the Coalition created six warming centers in the city. At these centers, the Coalition provides a warm space for people to shower, receive donations and get connected to resources. The centers have now become a space “where people feel part of a community and where they’re safe,” Josh explains.

The Coalition has brought the kits and blankets to their warming centers and plans to “hand them out personally to anybody who needs one,” Josh says. A warm blanket provides warmth and safety to our homeless neighbors and allows them to rest a little better during these restless times. A hygiene kit gives them a chance to clean up and feel refreshed. “We could not do this without the support of the churches in Columbus, in Ohio and throughout the nation. Our guests are absolutely thankful, and to be honest, you are saving lives,” Josh tells us.

CWS is thankful for our partners and donors who make stories like this one possible. Your support allows us to expand our reach to marginalized communities and help warm both our cities and our hearts.