Relief group seeks donations to help migrants

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This article was published 03/07/2019 (2455 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANITOBANS concerned about the plight of migrants at the United States-Mexico border can lend a helping hand through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

The international relief and development organization, which has its Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg, is appealing for donations to provide what it calls “immigration detainee kits” for migrants seeking asylum in Texas.

The kits, which cost $78.50, contain clothes, toiletries and other basic items for men, women and children who have been detained and then released by the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Upon release, the detainees often have nothing but the clothing they wore crossing the border.

Included in the kits are things such as a T-shirt, sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks, underwear, pen, notebook, washcloth, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, bath wipes, razor, body lotion, comb and deodorant. For children, there will be additional items, such as diapers (and pull-ups) and toys.

By responding to MCC’s appeal, Manitobans can help the agency “actively work to support people who are seeking a safer, better life for themselves and their families by migrating to the U.S.,” said Darryl Loewen, executive director of MCC’s Manitoba office.

Loewen said he realizes some might want to donate items for the kits, but MCC is only handling financial contributions. The money will used by MCC Central States office in North Newton, Kan., which is leading the response.

Michelle Armster, executive director of the Central States region — which includes Texas — said the funds will be used to buy items locally for the kits, which will then be assembled and packed into backpacks by volunteers.

The kits will then be taken to Texas by other volunteers, where they will be handed out to asylum seekers by Mennonite church pastors and MCC partner agencies working at the border.

“Churches at the border are overwhelmed” by the number of migrants coming to them needing help, Armster said. “They don’t have enough resources to meet the needs.”

The kits are a concrete way to “help those churches respond,” she added.

“Jesus made it clear that we will be judged by how we treat widows, orphans and immigrants. This is a way we feel compelled to affirm the call of Jesus.”

Donations for the kits can be made by visiting mcccanada.ca/carekits, by calling 204-261-6381 or mailing a cheque to MCC at 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9. Donations should be designated for “immigration detainee care kits.”

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