Humanitarian Kits (should be donated locally)
This information is OLD,
Please refer to the church web site for what you can do to help at this link: http://www.lds.org/topics/humanitarian-service/help?lang=eng
Or here is some basic information
- Serve in Your Community
- Donate to the Humanitarian Aid Fund
- Donate Items for Local Community Efforts
From LDS.ORG http://mormon.org/humanitarian-aid
Assembling various humanitarian kits (hygiene, newborn and school kits) for us to distribute to schools, orphanages, homeless shelters, medical facilities, and disaster areas around the world is something you can do alone or as a group. Before getting started you may call the Humanitarian Center at (801) 240-6060 or e-mail at HumanitarianCenter@ldschurch.org to ensure that your efforts meet the changing needs of people throughout the world. Your labor is greatly appreciated.
In addition to donating humanitarian kits to the LDS Humanitarian Center, we encourage you to contact your local schools, orphanages, homeless shelters, etc. and find out what kits they may need in their facilities.
Here is a Printable PDF file with info
Hygiene kits
The following is an example of how to assemble a hygiene kit:
Place the following items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag.
Remove the air before sealing.
- 2 unbreakable combs without sharp handles
- 4 toothbrushes (sealed)
- 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
- 2 bars of soap (3.5-5 ounces each)
- 2 hand towels* (approximately 15×25 inches) Dishtowels and washcloths are not acceptable.
*If sewing towels, use terry cloth and serge or zigzag edges to prevent fraying.
Newborn kits
Newborn kits are often sent to orphanages and hospitals, particularly in developing countries.
The following is an example of how to assemble a newborn kit:
Place the following items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag.
Remove the air before sealing.
- 4 single thickness cloth diapers
- – Approximately 25×27 inches
- – Birdseye Cloth or diaper flannel, 100% cotton
- – No pre-fold or disposable diapers
- 4 diaper safety pins
- 1 pair booties or baby socks
- 2 bars of soap 3.5-5 ounces each (Ivory or other not allergenic brand)
- 1 receiving blanket* (36×36 – 45×45 inches) (See how to make receiving blankets below)
- 1 layette gown
- – No footed sleepers, buttons, zippers, or strings
- – Size: Newborn to 6 months, Fabric: cotton knit
- – Layette gown patterns are available at the LDS Humanitarian Center, Humanitarian Service Rooms and at www.humanitarianservices.org
*How to make receiving blankets
Fleece:
- Cut a 36×36 – 45×45 inch square of medium weight fleece
- Serge, hem or blanket-stich edges
There are two methods for flannel receiving blankets
Flannel Method 1:
- Cut two 36×36 – 45×45 inch squares of cotton flannel
- Serge edges with right sides facing out
- Sew large ‘X’ corner to corner or a 10-inch square in the center to keep fabric from shifting
Flannel Method 2:
- Cut two 36×36 – 45×45 inch squares of cotton flannel
- Place the squares together with right sides facing in
- Sew squares together with a ¼ inch seam around the edges, leaving a 6-inch opening
- Turn right sides out
- Baste opening and topstitch around entire blanket for durability
- Sew large ‘X’ corner to corner or a 10-inch square in the center to keep fabric from shifting
School kits
School kits are often sent to schools, and orphanages. On occasion school kits will be sent to disaster areas.
The following is an example of how to assemble a school kit:
Place the following items in a durable cloth bag*.
- 4 unsharpened pencils
- 1 rubber pencil eraser – approximately 1×2 inches
- 1 pair blunt nosed scissors with metal blades
- 1 pencil sharpener
- 1 straight edge ruler – 12 inch, with metric
- Glued or spiral bound notebooks with lined sheets, 8 x 10½, or 8½ x 11 inches
- Notebooks should total approximately 450 sheets
- Do not include more than 6 notebooks
- 1 set assorted colored pencils
- at least 12 per set, approximately 7 inches long
*How to make cloth bags for school kits
Bag:
- Cut one piece heavy, durable fabric 14×36 inches or two pieces 14×18 inches
- With right sides together, sew side seams and across the bottom, ½ inch seam
- Serge or zig-zag all seams
- Serge or zig-zag around the top opening of the bag
- Turn top hem down 1½ inch and sew
Handles:
- Cut two handles 24 x 3½ inches (1 inch webbing may be substituted)
- Fold long sides in ½ inch then fold in half, lengthwise and sew down both long sides
- Attach and reinforce handles 2 inches from side seam along hem. Repeat on opposite side. Handles should be able to hang comfortably over a shoulder like a purse, length about 21 inches long
- Sew a 3 inch strip of Velcro on inside of bag between handle straps
2. Donate Items
In addition to kits, the Church distributes other needed items that you may provide. As the Church responds to humanitarian needs worldwide, the need for specific types of donations (such as bed sheets, children’s clothing, quilts, medical supplies) varies. Please ensure that quality and appearance reflect appropriate high standards. Sometimes we receive a surplus of certain items which means additional donations aren’t necessary. It’s best to check before you give.
For a list of current needs visit:Providentliving.org
Orphanage Modules
A special module with quilts, various supplies, toys and children’s clothing is distributed to orphanages throughout the world. Instructions for most of the items listed below may be found at www.humanitarianservices.org . All items must be un-used.
- Flat twin sheets (66 x 96 inch, cotton or flannel fabrics)
- Soft toys, puppets, dolls, wooden toys and blocks
- Fabric activity books and file folder games (See website)
- Sidewalk chalk (up to 24 per package)
- Jump ropes -store bought
- Wall hangings
- Crayons (up to 24 per package)
- Pencil boxes/pouches
- Pic combs
Children’s Clothing Guidelines
- Sizes: Newborn 0-youth 16
- Fabrics: durable and washable
- Use simple patterns. Double-stitch crotch seams, armholes and pockets.
- Please ensure that zippers, buttons, ties and Velcro are firmly secured
- Stretch of the fabric should always go across the body, not up and down
- No prints of religious symbols, flags or military themes
- Clothing items may include:
- – Pants – please include pockets
- – Sweat pants
- – Dresses – casual, simple play-dresses
- – Shirts
- – Underpants and socks – store bought
- – Onesies
- – Bibs
- – Coats and jackets
- – Baby booties
- – Mittens and gloves
- – Layette gown
- – Hair items for girls (not for infants)
- – Flip-flops
General Information
Your donations will be checked for quality and compliance with standards. All items should be appropriate to send to any country. Please be sensitive to not send items with prints of religious symbols, flags or military themes.
Quilts
Un-used fabric, preferably cotton blends or flannel. High-loft bonded batting is preferred. Quilts may be quilted or tied with yarn ties about 4 inches apart. Please ensure that the ties will not pull out. Do not use fabrics with prints of religious or military themes or any flags.
Approximate sizes are:
- Crib 45×60 inches
- Single 72×90 inches
- Double 90×90 inches
Medical Modules
Medical shipments are in high demand and include a number of different items. Instructions for hospital gowns and scrub tops and pants are available at www.humanitarianservices.org . All medical supplies with an expiration date must have at least 13 months of good date left when the items are donated.
The following first-aid-items in original packaging are needed:
- Ace bandages
- Adhesive bandages, 1 inch wide
- Adhesive tape, 1 inch wide
- Cotton balls, sterile and non-sterile
- Tongue depressors
- Cotton swabs, sterile and non-sterile
- Gauze pads, all sizes
- Gauze rolls, all sizes
- Paper tape, 1 inch wide