Service Project ALERT—GAIN Warehouse

If you live in southeastern PA, consider yourself lucky to be close to such an important global outreach center of operations.  The GAIN (Global Aid Network) Warehouse is located in Mount Joy, PA and is a Christ-centered humanitarian organization focused on the issues of water, food, health, and compassion to many critically needy locations around the world.  Stocked with basic necessities such as clothing, blankets, school supplies, women’s hygiene supplies, and seed packets, GAIN needs assistance in processing and preparing the materials for shipment globally.  Many volunteers are needed to cover multiple tasks (some skilled such as sewing, but many unskilled) required to manage such a large operation.  They have intermittent volunteer opportunities throughout the year, including two major multi-day packing events, one in June and one in October.  Churches and other organizations may host a mobile food-packing event at locations of their choice.

For families, this is a perfect opportunity to serve together as everyone from toddlers to adults can join in side by side working towards accomplishing a common goal.  Back in June we participated in one of the big packing events.  We had just planned to go for the morning because I thought my children would tire of it easily, but by noon they were begging to stay the whole day!  I was so pleased to see them catch the vision and enjoy serving.  I had a sitter for Lilah, my 3 year old, but it turns out she could have come along and there would have been little tasks even she could do!  Families and church groups from all over the east coast were there having a good time and working hard. Our primary job that day was making school kits.  We loaded large plastic bags with items such as notebooks, erasers, sharpeners, etc. The GAIN employee described how children who received our kits reacted, a fascinating and eye-opening story for our children who have never known anything but privilege.  We came home that day inspired and excited to have done something that impacted our world…and we had FUN!

Another multi-day packing event is coming soon!!  Our kids have off school on Friday October 21, so I took advantage of it and signed our family up on that day.

October 19-22, 2016

8:30-4:30pm, also Wed. 6-8pm

Come when you can, leave when you must (not set in and out time)

Snacks and lunch is served FREE for volunteers!

Gain Logistics Center

1506 Quarry Road

Mount Joy, PA 17552

See www.gainusa.org/events to sign up! (advance registration and waivers required)