Frequently Asked Questions

M25M is a non-denominational, ecumenical, interfaith ministry which provides humanitarian aid to those in need regardless of their religious tradition or political persuasion.

There are several Matthew 25: Ministries throughout the US, but none of them is affiliated with our organization.  The only location for this Matthew 25: Ministries is at 11060 Kenwood Road in Blue Ash, OH.

·         U.S. corporations that have slightly damaged, overstocked or outdated inventories

·         Hospitals, clinics and schools that are either downsizing or upgrading their facilities

·         Churches, schools, businesses, civic and fraternal organizations that wish to contribute collected items

·         Individuals who want to share their possessions with those in need

·         First Aid Supplies – bandages, tape, gauze, antibiotic ointment, orthopedic braces

·         Medical Supplies – catheters, sutures, syringes, surgical gloves, surgical bandages

·         Hospital Supplies – hospital linens, drapes, scrubs, patient gowns, bedding

·         Personal Care Supplies – shampoo, soap, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant

·         School Supplies – notebooks, paper, pencils, books, folders, envelopes

·         Cleaning Supplies – soap, bleach, laundry supplies, all purpose cleaners

·         New and Gently Used Clothing – for men, women, children and infants

·         New Shoes – for men, women, children and infants

·         Food Staples – canned, boxed and non-perishable foods, ready-to-eat-foods, beans, rice, corn, cooking oil

Supplies are distributed wherever there are needy, primarily to children and the elderly in hospitals, clinics, orphanages and schools throughout the United States and in developing countries.

Often we work in conjunction with a humanitarian aid organization already on the ground in the recipient location.  These organizations are familiar with customs requirements and the needs of the local people.  Additionally, these organizations already have a distribution system in place to ensure that goods are distributed where they are needed the most.

There are a number of factors we consider when making those decisions:

First – Where is the need greatest?

Second – What is the political, governmental and religious situation in these locations?  Is it safe? Is the government corrupt?  What are the customs requirements?  Is it reasonable to expect that donated products would safely reach their intended destination? 

Third – Do we already have reliable contacts in place who can receive and distribute the products?  If not, can we reasonably expect to establish such contacts?

Fourth – If we already have existing contacts in needy recipient locations, what products can we ship to them without difficulty for immediate distribution?

The majority of our cash donations come from individual donors.  Some larger distribution partners reimburse M25M for acquisition and processing costs.

There are two primary reasons:

First - some of our donor corporations require us to send the items they have donated out of the United States so that their goods do not reappear in discount shops or flea markets here in the United States. We always abide by those requirements.

Second - developing countries typically do not have their own relief organizations to help meet their needs. They rely on help from the rest of the world to survive. We provide that help.

Check out our Facts about Poverty for more information on the global effects of poverty.

Items are first offloaded from donor trucks and semis. These items are then evaluated, categorized, inventoried, processed onto pallets, packaged and stored. Finally, they are shipped via semi or ocean-going vessel to the needy of the world.

Volunteers play a very important role in performing these tasks.  Matthew 25: Ministries does almost everything through the help of volunteers.  Volunteers work at Matthew 25: Ministries Monday through Friday and on Saturday morning.

Individuals, church groups, schools, scouting groups, civic organizations and company groups who want to help make a difference in the world today all volunteer their time at Matthew 25: Ministries.  At Matthew 25: Ministries, there is meaningful work available to individuals of all ages, physical health and time flexibility.  Contact our volunteer coordinator for hours of volunteer service and for child/adult ratios for younger volunteers.

The goods described above are donated to Matthew 25 Ministries and we in turn donate them to the needy of the world. However, we still have all the ongoing costs of operating a business such as utilities, telephones, office supplies etc. Additionally, M25M often incurs the cost of picking up donated goods or paying to have them delivered, trailers to accumulate or store donated goods, packaging materials to prepare products for shipment and sometimes the shipping fees themselves.  Contributions help to pay for these expenses. Because of the generous donations of goods by corporations, churches and individuals, we are able to ship $124 of humanitarian aid for every dollar donated to M25M.

More than 99% of Matthew 25: Ministries’ cash and in-kind donations go toward programs.

Matthew 25: Ministries is very involved with our local community of Greater Cincinnati, OH. 

·        M25M works with a number of local organizations to distribute aid to the needy of Greater Cincinnati. 

·        M25M’s Speakers Bureau reaches out into the community by speaking at schools, churches and other organizations. 

·        M25M’s Fighting Hunger Food Drive raises over 25,000 pounds of food each holiday season for distribution to local food pantries and shelters. 

·        Local individuals and organizations frequently contact M25M requesting aid for a specific project or need.  M25M provides advice, storage, in-kind support and operational networking whenever possible.

·        M25M offers office space, networking and access to business technologies to local grassroots non-profits. 

·        M25M provides opportunities for non-violent correctional residents to perform community service and participate in rehabilitation programs.