The Mennonite Central Committee Mobile Canner returns to Souderton

For over 75 years, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Mobile Canner has produced meat that has been shared in the wake of droughts, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, famine, war, extreme poverty, and other emergency situations.

MCC itself, the organization that made the cannery a vital tool in its mission to help feed the hungry, was established over a century ago in 1920.

From October to April, four MCC volunteers operate the canning unit, traveling to over 30 locations in the U.S., and into Canada as well. At each location, a local canning committee purchases meat, arranges for facilities, and schedules volunteers who choose to use their hands to “meat” the needs of others.

Families from all over the world, including Syria, Haiti, Cuba, and the Ukraine, have shared how MCC meat has affected their lives.

Nutritious meat produced by the MCC canner – with the support of local businesses, farmers, churches, students, MCC members, and the community – provides a vital source of protein for people in the U.S. and abroad. During this year’s canning season, MCC and over 30,000 volunteers, hope to produce over half a million cans of meat.

In past years, excellent community support enabled the local Souderton canning operation to meet its goal in providing over 125,000 protein-filled meals. This year, MCC will operate the mobile canner at the MCC Material Resource Center in Souderton for three days from March 27 to 29, and is taking on the challenge of processing 24,000 pounds of pork.

Each day this local canning operation requires approximately 100 volunteers working a two-to six-hour shift from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to fill, wash, and label cans; label and prepare boxes for shipment; and perform general site clean-up. Refreshments are provided.

Community support is vital.

To help the Souderton crew feed the hungry, tax-deductible donations may be made payable to “MCC Canner Project” and mailed to MCC Material Resource Center, 737 Hagey Center Drive, Unit C, Souderton, PA 18964.

To volunteer at the canner, contact the MCC Material Resource Center at 267-203-8074, Abe Landes at 215-723-3140, or Barry Gehman at 610-656-7447.

Go to mcc-harleysville.org, click “Get Involved,” then “Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canner” for information.

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