Buckets of Hope for Haiti

Looking for a hands-on, tangible way to help the people of Haiti recover from the devastation caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake? Packing a "Bucket of Hope" is one way you, your mission group, or your church family can provide food and hope to a family in Haiti! Read on for details:

Every Baptist can have a hands-on, life changing affect upon the people of Haiti by participating in a Southern Baptists “Buckets of Hope" ministry.

The “Buckets of Hope" is just one means by which Baptists can fulfill the mandate of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry in the name of Jesus. As we are reminded in Matthew 25:45, Jesus tells us, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, yet did it not to me." (KJV)

The “Bucket of Hope" consists of a plastic five-gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. For approximately $30 an individual Baptist can purchase the materials and assemble a "Bucket of Hope." In addition Baptists are requested to include a $10 cash contribution, placed in an envelope and attached to the lid of the bucket, to offset the cost of transporting the relief buckets to Haiti.

Click here to download a special bulletin insert which features step-by-step instructions for participation in this project.

Project deadline: By March 4, 2010, the “Buckets of Hope" must be completed and delivered to your local Baptist association collection point. Disaster relief volunteers will facilitate the pick-up and transport of the local “Buckets of Hope" for placement in cargo containers for immediate shipment to the island nation. After delivery, before loading in cargo containers, all the buckets will be labeled indicating the “Bucket of Hope" is a gift of Christian love and support from Southern Baptists.

The Bucket:

The 5-gallon white plastic bucket with handle, which should be new and unused, can be purchased from Wal-Mart (UPC code #098262506408) and must include a tight fitting lid (UPC code 9826270645). UPDATE: as of 2/11/2010, we can accept any color bucket, and buckets may include logos. Should still be new and unused, 5-gallon, with handle and tight-fitting lid.

The Food Items:

The commercially pre-packaged food items can be generic, store brand items. Once the food supplies are used, Haitians will find multiple everyday uses for the bucket. Please do not substitute any item listed and do not add anything additional inside the bucket.

• 2 – 5-pound bags long grain enriched rice
• 1 – 48-ounce plastic bottle cooking oil
• 2 – 2-pound bags dry black beans (can substitute with red beans)
• 1 – 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
• 1 – 20-ounce cylinder container of granulated white sugar (coffee service size)
• 2 – 1-pound boxes spaghetti noodles
• 1 – 2 lb, 8 oz jar of creamy peanut butter
• 1 – white kitchen trash can size plastic bag (which will be used to wrap the bottle of cooking oil)

Packing Instructions:

Click here to view and/or download a helpful video that will show you step-by-step how to pack the buckets.

Written instructions appear below:
1. As you pack the bucket, pray for the Haitian family that will receive the food.
2. Lay bucket on its side.
3. Place rice packages in bucket. Lay bags side-by-side and flat running in the direction of top to bottom of bucket. Gently compress the bags (without breaking them) as flat as possible to create room for other items.
4. Place bottle of oil inside a clean, unused trash bag and wrap the excess portion of the bag tightly around the bottle. (This is a precaution to protect the foodstuffs should there be leakage or a break in the bottle during transport.)
5. Lay the bottle of oil on top of the rice bags. Lay the wrapped oil container so that the bottom of the bottle is at the bottom of the bucket and is approximately in the center of the bucket.
6. Place the peanut butter jar on one side of the oil.
7. Place the cylinder of sugar on top of the wrapped oil bottle.
8. Place boxes of spaghetti noodles on the other side of the oil bottle.
9. While holding the sugar and peanut butter containers in place, stand bucket upright .
10. Place one bag of black beans down along the inside of the bucket next to the peanut butter.
11. Place bag of flour on its side on top of the peanut butter, gently packing down the flour bag to clear the rim of the bucket.
12. Place second bag of black beans next to the flour on top of the peanut butter.
13. Close lid on the bucket and make sure it is securely closed.
14. Place $10 cash (bills only) into a business size (#10) or smaller envelope. Seal the envelope. Securely tape the envelope to the lid of the bucket.
15. Take the filled “Bucket of Hope" to your area collection center before March 4, 2010.