Blessing Bids
Blessing Bids is a time during the auction where you can donate directly to MCC projects by raising your bidder card. You have several choices of projects and each one has a set amount for a bid. You can donate multiples of that amount by a show of fingers. The Blessing Bids will happen near the middle of the auction. Below are the projects for 2011.

East Africa drought response
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is responding to the drought and food crisis in East Africa. Many people have left their homes in Somalia and currently live in refugee camps in northeastern Kenya, which are expected to grow to 600,000 people by year's end. In addition to emergency food aid, MCC is providing school supplies and sewing kits to enable people to learn useful and marketable skills for the future. Because of armed conflict in the area and the possibility that aid will be hijacked, a food voucher system has been developed that makes it more difficult for food to be stolen and prevents price gouging. MCC has also initiated food-for-work projects in the region through which residents are constructing dams and other infrastructure that will mitigate the effects of future dry periods. $500 provides equipment and supplies to construct one sand dam. We will accept bids in multiples of $500

Cluster Bomb Response and Advocacy
MCC workers first became aware of the devastating effects of cluster bombs in Laos during the years after the Vietnam War. Cluster bombs are small explosives, hundreds of which may be contained in canisters that are dropped from aircraft or fired by artillery. As many as 10% of cluster bombs may not detonate on impact, but remain as deadly hazards that can explode when struck by a farm or garden implement or picked up by a child. MCC's work on cluster bombs includes educating people in areas where cluster bombs have been used (recently in Southern Lebanon) to make them aware of the dangers. Artificial limbs are provided for victims. Other work includes training and funding for land clearing operations, which are slow and painstaking, and continuing efforts to encourage governments to restrict and ultimately eliminate the use of cluster bombs. $250 helps cover expenses for an instructor to conduct cluster bomb awareness training. We will accept bids in multiples of $250.

Brazil - Harvesting rain
In northeastern Brazil, where the dry season lasts eight months of the year, MCC is helping farmers harvest rainwater. When rain falls onto the roof of homes, it's directed into a rain gutter and down into a closed cement cistern. One cistern, which stores about 4,000 gallons of water, can ensure safe water for drinking and cooking for a family of four throughout the dry season. Larger cisterns supply water for animals and to irrigate small gardens. MCC provides construction materials to build cisterns and prepare roofs for water harvesting. Families and community members provide the labor. The cisterns also provide water during the rainy season, when rainfall is plentiful but uncontaminated water is scarce. $120 buys enough cement to build one cistern. We will accept bids in multiples of $120.

United States - Welcoming the Stranger: Supporting legal services for Haitians
Following the Haiti earthquake in January 2010, the United States government offered Temporary Protection Status to undocumented Haitians who were living in the U.S prior to the earthquake. More than 100,000 Haitians are eligible, most living in the eastern U.S. This gives legal status for at least 18 months, releasing them from the fear of deportation and allowing them to work legally and earn income that they use to support family and friends in Haiti. MCC is providing assistance with translation, immigration counseling and legal advice, without which Haitians may miss this opportunity to obtain documents and support family in Haiti in rebuilding. $60 provides translations services to assist three people. We will accept bids in multiples of $60.

Food For All-Food Aid Where Needed Most
Drought, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and now rising food costs. Millions of the world's poorest people don't have enough to eat and the numbers are rapidly growing. Your gift will enable MCC to respond quickly to requests for food where needed most. $20 helps MCC respond to food needs around the world. We will accept bids in multiples of $20.