CLOTHING
For more than 60 years, LWR has served as the hands of Christ through our Material Resources Program—a ministry of sharing handmade quilts, kits, soap and clothing. The collection of these material resources has long been a cherished ministry of many Lutheran parishes throughout the U.S. as a way of putting faith into action, and the program remains an important element of LWR’s work.
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LWR will continue to collect and distribute the following items:
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As part of our ongoing assessment of the positive impact we can offer in times of crisis or chronic poverty, we have identified a necessary
change in our practice of the distribution of material resources. To maintain LWR’s effectiveness and efficiency in our relief work, we no longer collect clothing for distribution through our Material Resources Program. All other LWR Parish Projects—quilts, layettes, kits and soap—will remain vital components to the program.
Many countries have altered their policies regarding used clothing imports; some are even prohibiting such imports. Clothing imports may disrupt local economies and, in some instances, threaten local textile and clothing manufacturing jobs. Other countries are charging increasingly high customs duty and taxes, making shipping costs prohibitively expensive. In many cases, we have found that purchasing clothing locally to support communities in crisis is a better approach. Items purchased locally are cost effective, suitable for local needs and help to bolster local economies.
This decision was not made lightly. It was made in dialogue with LWR’s overseas partners who have been receiving the majority of our clothing shipments in past years. Partners tell us that they understand and support our decision, and are appreciative of our continued efforts to provide other material resources such as quilts and kits. LWR remains committed to our overseas partners, and will work closely with them to identify alternative sources for clothing, including through local procurement. We will continue to ship any previously collected clothing that remains in our warehouse until those supplies have been exhausted.
Change is sometimes challenging but because our many donors of material resources here in the U.S. share our vision for an effective and efficient Material Resources Program, we are confident that you will continue to support our program generously through the donation of quilts and kits, and through the financial support of the Project Comfort Fund, our designated fund for covering the costs of distributing the items to people in need throughout the world.
We are grateful for your understanding with this change in our Material Resource Program, we thank you for your past support and commitment, and we look forward to continuing in partnership with you in the future.
What’s Next: How to pack and where to send LWR Parish Projects
From Here to There: How LWR Parish Projects get to the people who need them
From the Field: How LWR Parish Projects are put to good use overseas
In the Parish: How LWR Parish Projects can be a part of your parish’s ministry
Please contact Brenda Meier (bmeier@lwr.org) at LWR if you have any additional questions.
