CLM Hen House

siscosmom · Joined: 21 Mar 2026 Posts: 206 Location: West Virginia

Our ladies missionary circle has a missions cupboard for when missionaries come, so they can pick out what they need. The problem is that our church is small and isn't often visited by our missionaries. (Maybe once or twice a yeat) Many things in the cupboard were outdated or expired and I've had to weed them out. I'd like to either fill the cupboard with items they can actually use, or else make gift baskets instead of leaving stuff to age in the cupboard. Please post if you have any ideas! Especially if you're a missionary! So far I've thought of small travel toys for their kids, mints, and restaurant gift certificates. Our missions cupboard currently has lots of bath towels and dish towels and some gladware.

Bethany · Joined: 12 Mar 2026 Posts: 110

Let's see if I can remember some of the things we had in our missions cupboard!

phone cards
note pads, paper, pens, pencils, school supplies (crayons, glue, etc.)
Thank You cards, birthday cards, etc.
postage stamps
toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, pads & pantiliners, razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, hair brushes, combs, etc.)
home decor (usually homemade things, cross stitch or floral wall decor; a lot of times missionaries would use these as gifts for the ladies in their church)
rugs (bathroom or other)
bug repellent and sunscreen
Luxury items, like Bath & Body Works, specialty shampoo & conditioner, perfume, etc. (one missionary was so excited to find a kit for curly hair with Pantene shampoo & conditioner, a brush and hair clips; she had very hard to manage hair)
tools for men
craft items for ladies (scrapbooking supplies, stamping supplies, etc.)
children's craft supplies (playdoh, paint sets, etc.)
travel games and toys, stuffed animals
diapers, bottles

That's all I can think of at the moment, but if I remember any more I'll add to the list! Very Happy

daredheaded1 · Joined: 15 May 2025 Posts: 131 Location: PA

We emailed an information request form to the missionary wives our church supported. On it we asked them what things they would most like to receive as gifts when they were in the States (most of them have to pay outrageous tariffs on packages that are mailed to them).

Anyway, it was interesting to find that it was the everyday items we take for granted that they "secretly" desired. Like Bethany posted about the lady being so excited over the Pantene shampoo set. They listed things like:
~girly scented body washes & lotions
~mascara
~blush
~eye shadow
~paper plates & napkins
~gift cards to places like Walmart
~flat wrapping paper
~sunscreen & bug spray
~board games like Monopoly
~books by Janette Oke & Beverly Lewis
~old magazines like Family Circle or Woman's Day
~scrapbooking supplies
~batteries

And the #1 thing on every single wish list.....bags of Nestle Chocolate Chips.

Hope this helps!
Stacey
_________________
"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."

BarbaraH · Joined: 16 Mar 2026 Posts: 22 Location: SC

In addition to some of the other things that have been mentioned, we also have:

~batteries of all types
~flashlights and battery-powered lanterns
~basketball, soccer ball, football (these very often get taken by the older kids and are used for a little bit of exercise at rest stops)
~portable CD players with headphones (kids love to use these when traveling)
~Christian CDs and books
~oil for the car
~disposable diapers
~small throw blankets
~small tools the men might like (like the very small screwdriver sets)

It's amazing how often sheet sets get taken. We have a box of boys' toys and girls' toys -- some missionaries let the children choose a toy and some paretnts will choose a toy for them.

We "inherited" this ministry from another couple, and when things are there a while that no one takes or even looks at, we take it out and give it to the Salvation Army. For instance -- there was a globe in there (probably came from one of the Christian School classrooms). Many families were interested, but it was too big to take in their packed cars. We got to lookng at it one day, and a lot of the Soviet countries were no longer correct (which may be why some teacher got rid of it. ). There is also a set of glasses in there that I don't think anyone will ever take -- too breakable for long trips.

We never keep anything perishable in there.

Jill · Joined: 28 Apr 2026 Posts: 23 Location: Texas

Stacey,

Do you happen to have a copy of the information request form you emailed to the missionary wives your church supports. Our ministry is just getting started and I didn't realize there was a tax on things we send to them, so seems it would be better to start stocking up on some of these items for when them come home.

Thanks ladies for all the wonderful ideas!
_________________
Have a Blessed Day!

Jill

siscosmom · Joined: 21 Mar 2026 Posts: 206 Location: West Virginia

Wow, I never thought of emergency supplies like the flashlights and screwdrivers. I guess we could add cans of fix-a-flat and gas cards, especially with the price of gas! Thanks for the great suggestions!

Rebekah