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Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day — a statistic recognized by Matthew 25: Ministries, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose efforts provide disaster aid and humanitarian relief.

ACCTivate! customer, Matthew 25 serves the poor, the marginalized and disadvantaged in the developing world, as well as the underserved populations in the United States and in Matthew 25's local community in Greater Cincinnati.

In recent years, they have responded to the Tsunami of 2004, Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Gustav, the Pakistani Earthquake in 2005, flooding in Iowa and Kentucky and armed conflict in Georgia.

Matthew 25 began in 1990 in Cincinnati, Ohio after Founder and President, Pastor Wendell Mettey witnessed first-hand, extreme poverty and suffering on a mission trip to Nicaragua.

He vowed, from that moment, to find a way to help the people of Nicaragua. He established Matthew 25: Ministries with a mission to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament by providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, affordable shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to prisoners.

Matthew 25 rescues and reuses products — that would otherwise be thrown away — from major corporations, manufacturers, hospitals and individuals. Their system allows them to provide basic necessities, educational materials, skill development opportunities and disaster relief throughout the United States and around the world.

In their 132,000 square foot warehouse they evaluate all products to ensure they are appropriate for their intended destination and with the help of volunteers they categorize, sort, process and package the products for shipment.

In the beginning, Matthew 25 would carry suitcases full of supplies to Nicaragua and later they used Air Force cargo planes to deliver aid. Today, they ship ten million pounds and hundreds of 40 foot ocean going containers of supplies to the needy each year throughout the world.

Matthew 25 works with partners who are on location in recipient destinations to ensure that the necessary supplies are efficiently, effectively and ethically distributed. These partners are familiar with the needs of the local area, have distribution channels already in place and know which individuals, families and/or locations are truly in need.

For every $1 donated in 2008, Matthew 25 delivered $97 in humanitarian aid, resulting in $85 million in aid being shipped around the world, including school supplies, food, water and beverages, clothing, medical supplies, furnishings, household and cleaning supplies, and personal care items.

They also built 32 houses with residential latrines and two wells and a multi-purpose community center.

Matthew 25 has gained several recognitions for their efforts, such as receiving a four star rating from Charity Navigator and being recognized as one of the most efficient large charities in the U.S. in 2008 by Forbes.com.

In addition to distributing aid, Matthew 25 operates several projects that enhance the organizations' ability to meet the needs of recipients around the U.S. and worldwide.

Education is a focus for Matthew 25, as it is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Matthew 25 operates a Print Manufacturing Center, which supports the Write Your Future program.

Their Print Center utilizes donated industrial printing equipment and paper supplies to make "Write Your Future" notebooks for needy schoolchildren. The goal is to get notebooks and complimentary educational supplies into the hands of as many needy school children as possible.

Matthew 25 has plans to develop a Food Processing Center because a lack of food is the most critical need that they are asked to respond to. In addition to increasing distribution of life-saving, life sustaining food to the under and mal-nourished, the Food Processing Center will enhance the effectiveness of their response time to catastrophic disaster locations.

Since its founding Matthew 25 has sent over 75 million pounds of aid across the United States and into more than 35 countries worldwide.

Read how Matthew 25: Ministries uses shipping, tracking and lot number control to manage their business with the help of ACCTivate! inventory management software for QuickBooks.

For more information about Matthew 25: Ministries visit their website.

Sources:
Poverty Facts and Stats
Matthew 25: Ministries website
Matthew 25: Ministries press release