International Aid’s Mission

Founded in 1980, International Aid glorifies Christ by providing emergency supplies (food, water, shelter, etc.) to people who have been affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Our History

Near the end of the 1970s, World Vision began to phase out its procurement program located in its midwest office in Spring Lake, Michigan. World Vision’s West Michigan staff, headed by James E. Franks Sr. and a local committee chaired by Charles Rycenga, felt led to continue this ministry and International Aid, Inc. was established in 1980.

James E. Franks Sr.

Charles Rycenga

Our founders envisioned a commitment to relief and development work both domestically and internationally, providing goods and services to vulnerable people.

International Aid started with a 17,000 square foot warehouse collecting 10 tons of blankets, medicine, and other relief supplies, which were immediately sent to refugee families in war-torn Southern Lebanon. The next several years brought growth in volunteer participation, relief shipments, warehouse space, and additional programs.

International Aid expands programs to include Disaster Relief, reconditioned medical equipment for rural clinics and hospitals, Lab-In-A-Suitcase®, prescription medications, biomedical training, and the Hygiene Kit Initiative.

1980
Sends 20,000 lbs. of aid to families in war-torn Southern Lebanon.

1985
Partners with American farmers to send over 42,000 lbs. of grain to famine-stricken Ethiopia.

1986
Responds to natural disasters, domestically and overseas, by distributing desperately needed health products, hygiene kits, medical clinics and supplies.

1989
Responds to multiple natural disasters and ships 97 tons of grain to help feed starving communities in Africa.

2001
International Aid delivers oxygen tanks, burn medications, dust masks, work boots and gloves to New York City following 9/11. They also provide trauma and grief counseling for people affected.

2002
International Aid sends five shipments of food, clothing, medicines, supplies, hygiene products and a portable medical clinic to Afghan refugees.

2005
International Aid sends 24 medical clinics to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka following the earthquake and tsunami. They also sent aid to the United States following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In 2008, strengthening health also must include access to medicines and other health products. International Aid establishes an innovative approach to procure and deliver essential health products while minimizing warehousing. This ensures faster delivery of life-saving medicines and supplies to where needed most.

2011
International Aid achieved a new record high for relief distributed by shipping over $116 million in valuable health resources to global partners.

Good hygiene is fundamental to public health and an essential component to our field partner’s programs. The Hygiene Kit Program supports Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) standards. Started in 2014, International Aid hosts local volunteers to pack hygiene kits distributed both domestically and overseas during times of natural disaster.

2014
A total of 656 participants packing 27,585 hygiene kits distributed in 6 different countries.