The First CARE Package

After more than a year, World War II concluded in Europe the inhabitants from Le Havre, France, continued to fight for survival. Their homes were still in ruins and their stomachs were constantly empty.

On the 11th of May in 1946, relief was delivered from across the Atlantic as the ship carrying cargo American Traveler arrived in the city's harbor, which was devastated by war, with a cargo of food and hope. Onboard were 15,000 brown cardboard boxes that were paid through the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE) that was founded in prior to the year in order to deliver relief to the millions of people who were hungry within postwar Europe. These initial "CARE Packages" contained everything from whole milk cake and liver bread, as well as margarine as well as coffee. What was in care package were soon expanded to include diapers, soap medicines, school supplies and fabric needles and thread to enable recipients to create and repair clothing.

The CARE food packs are a wonderful gift for the families that were destroyed in an earlier incident that occurred in Lessach, Austria. (Credit: CARE)

The first CARE Packages consisted from excess "10-in-1" food parcels--capable of serving a meal for the 10 troops or food to one person for 10 days. They were no need for the U.S. Army at the closing of war. When the surplus ran out, CARE began to assemble its own boxes due in large part to the donations of American businesses. At a cost of 10 dollars Americans can send their food items to friends and family members in Europe. In the next few years, Americans began to donate food items to people who they didn't even know, such as addressing the boxes of food for "a hungry occupant of a thatched cottage" or "a school teacher in Germany."

Renate Senter was among the anonymous beneficiaries who received American generosity. born in 1939 Senter had no other choice but war when she was growing to be a teenager within West Prussia. On a cold winter evening in the year 1945 an alarm rang in the door signalled of the Soviets were swiftly moving forward. As her father was away fighting on the front in the east and her mother fighting on the eastern front, she went into her parents' house with her mother along with two sisters, and their tiniest possessions that they could fit in the baby carriage. "We had nothing, absolutely nothing," Senter declares.

Ingrid Bergman with a CARE Package. (Credit: CARE)

After the war's end, Senter was a student at an institution situated in West Germany, with a piece of chalk and a slate as her only school equipment. One day an Red Cross nurse arrived with Care Packages for students. Even though the incident took place over more than 70 years ago images remain in the mind of Senter. "It was a red maroon with white CARE letters on the front. I opened it up, then the very first thing that struck me was this stunning White paper, which felt as the silk of a rag, and a pen, an eraser Colgate toothpaste, and toothbrush." Senter says.

"I was in complete stupefied and stunned by this white piece of paper that I went back home with this parcel and thought, 'Look at at what Americans did. The Americans have sent this package to me to me,'" Senter says. In the following three years she continued to receive Care Packages from the United States filled with clothes and food items. "It was so overwhelming when we were given these packages. It is impossible to imagine what it did to our lives and our outlook."

The mother of Senter's daughter, who had not a love towards America United States after her parents were killed in an American air strike, was devastated when her daughter returned home in her very first Care Packet. "My mother's mood changed instantly. She was so thankful towards America and would send letters to the CARE to express her gratitude to for them." Senter says.

Bob Hope in Poland with children with European costumes. (Credit: CARE)

When as the Cold War ignited, CARE Packages were again sent to help. In reaction to the blockade of West Berlin by Soviet troops in 1948 The American airlift contained 250,000 CARE packages, which was greater than half of the aid and humanitarian assistance that was delivered into the town. In 1950 President Harry Truman urged Americans to provide food parcels blankets, clothing, and food items to the people who were homeless and hungry in the aftermath from the Korean War. "Every CARE Package delivered to a family in Korea, in the name of American donors, is proof of democracy in action to help its fellow man," Truman declared.

The organization for humanitarian aid has expanded its geographical scope since the 1950s, expanding its scope to include Asia in the 1950s, as well as Latin America. The organization is now it is known as the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere in order to reflect its global purpose, CARE remains one of the biggest humanitarian organizations around the globe. As of 2015 CARE operated in more than 90 different countries, fighting the effects of poverty, and responded to disasters as well as human emergencies, ranging from conflict-ravaged Syria to famine-stricken Somalia.

CARE has switched its focus in the past to create long-term sustainable programs. However, it is still evident that the effect of 100 million CARE packages delivered by Americans to those who are in need across the globe remains a constant source of inspiration. Senter was so touched by the gifts were given to her as a young girl that she promised to settle in America when she was old enough to be a citizen. She fulfilled her dream and moved in America. United States, where she continues to reside today. "I'm very grateful to CARE for turning my life around and so happy in this country," she says.