Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Logo

In 1920, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) was established with the primary goal of helping Mennonite communities that were surviving the effects of World War I. Initially, these activities focused on delivering basic necessities to Mennonites living in Ukraine and Russia. By 1922, MCC’s first relief initiative was to establish a food distribution center for Mennonites in Russia in Halsted, Kansas.

During the 1920s and 1930s, MCC’s relief efforts expanded to include Mennonites and other communities affected by disasters such as famine, natural disasters, and societal discrimination. These activities spanned Russia, Poland, Paraguay, Chile, and China. During and after the difficult times of World War II, MCC directed its resources to distribute relief goods in war-affected regions. They also supported military conscientious objectors by establishing relief programs in European countries such as England, Holland, and Belgium.

In the post-war era, MCC diversified its portfolio by initiating initiatives to develop various sectors, from agriculture and health care to education and economic cooperation. These projects spread across continents, benefiting communities in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. With the onset of the 1970s, MCC’s focus shifted to meeting the needs of war-displaced people in regions such as Vietnam and Bangladesh, as well as fighting hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Simultaneously, on the domestic front, programs were launched to improve the situation of minority and marginalized populations.

Between the 1980s and 2000s, MCC’s commitment to international assistance and development intensified. At the domestic level, innovative initiatives such as exchange offices and stores emerged to generate funds for various programs. MCC’s activities now span more than 50 countries, and its budget exceeds $100 million, demonstrating MCC’s continued commitment to disaster relief, development assistance, peace advocacy, and global justice.