Some displaced families Iraq are getting help locally, which is part of a larger effort to relieve suffering all over the world as part of the 41st annual Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale.

Luke Shrock-Hurst from the Mennonite Central Committee says there are millions of homeless people in Iraq that need immediate help.

He says, "You don't bind up the wound of war overnight. It takes many years, many decades, many generations to heal the wounds of war."

He's hoping a project that will provide 1,500 relief buckets from the Valley will help. They're loading up kits with shampoo, towels, toothbrushes and other essentials.

Shrock-Hurst says, "Today is some of the best people hood of the Mennonite community binding together to sacrifice to put in many, many dozens of hours to make a difference in a needy world."

Iraq native Kaka Hama Askary says it's a true sign of the areas kindness.

He says, "They need everything especially compassion and mercy, and this is a sign of the compassion and mercy that people need."

Askary says it also sends an important life lesson to the kids.

He says, "This is important to teach kids from the beginning how to share with other people."

Ahmed Mustafa is also originally from Iraq. He wants to help out family and friends back home.

He says, "I think they'd be proud of me. I'm helping out my own people."

You can contact the Eastern Mennonite University campus if you still would like to help.