3416 East Brick School Rd., Freeport, IL 61032
815-255-0943 freeportmennonitechurch@gmail.com
Kenneth Hawes, Pastor; pastor.fmc.3416@gmail.com
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are pleased to inform you that Freeport Mennonite Church (FMC) is planning to host the Mennonite Central Committee
(MCC) Canner again this year for the 2021-2022 canning season. As our churches, communities, and nation continue to deal
with issues locally and globally, we plan to come together and make positive lasting relationships while helping feed those in
need once again this year.
We feel the need for aide is greater now more than ever, due to the Pandemic. What a unique way to spread God’s love in times
of need! So, what does this mean?
Throughout the year, especially during the months of October and November, we collect donations for the meat canning project.
The Canning Ministry at Freeport Mennonite is an above budget project, so it is all done by donations. The more donations we
receive the more people we can help. A donation of $5.45 will fill a can or $130 will fund a box of finished product. We are
excited to announce that we have been given 5 days to can. This will depend on volunteers and funding support.
As the 75th year of meat canning begins, FMC and MCC are once again partnered up for the 69th year to encourage others to get
involved with this mission project. This year’s canning project is going to continue to look a little different as you can imagine
due to the ongoing pandemic! There will be some changes and requirements that must be followed in order for us to can and
keep everyone as safe as possible and keep the “Canner Guy’s” healthy so they can keep canning at other stops. Without them,
canning does not happen! We cannot possibly list all the changes and guidelines in this letter, and changes are bound to happen
as we get closer to the time of canning. With that being said, we encourage everyone to call or have a group representative call
a member of the FMC canning committee and ask questions ahead of time and schedule a time to come help can if you are
healthy and willing to follow the guidelines!
Once again, we would like to open this project to the community and area churches. If you or anyone in your church would
like to serve in this way, we will be canning December 13-17. 2021 (Mon – Fri) at Freeport Mennonite Church, 3416 E Brick
School Rd., Freeport, IL 61032. Unfortunately, due to the guidelines we are not able to give tours as in the past. However, if
you have any questions please contact Larry Pfile (Meat Canning Coordinator) at 449-2516, Chad & Janet Weber (Asst Canning
Coordinators) at 291-6382 or 541-9397, David Graybill (Asst Canning Coordinator) at 238-7208 or Tim Bastian (Asst Canning
Coordinator) at 821-2469. If you are interested in someone coming to talk about the canning project at your church or group,
please feel free to contact one of the above individuals.
Freeport Mennonite Church set a church record last year and produced 23,283 cans from 35,747 pounds of chicken last year.
Ten percent of the cans were held back for local missions at Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC), Rockford Rescue
Mission, Joseph’s Pantry and Salvation Army in Freeport, Lancaster Food Pantry of Lancaster Wisconsin, and Faith Community
Church of Davis. Ninety percent was sent to MCC to be used as they identify the needs in the United States and around the
world.
As I close this letter, I would like to say that this mission project is very much needed around the world. I would encourage
each one of you to be a part of this year’s canning project. Some of the canning shifts fill up fast, so I encourage you to call and
sign up for a shift before they are filled. Call (815) 291-6382 to sign up or go to freeportmennonitechurch.com to sign-up online.
WE NEED EVERYONE TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO COME THIS YEAR TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS TO THE
MAXIMUM NUMBER ALLOWED AT ONE TIME.
May God bless you and keep you,
Chad Weber, FMC Assistant Canning Coordinator
MCC Canning Press Relief 2021
Bethany Fosdyck 
