When people went to buy things for their families, they would buy things for the residents of Martin Luther Homes as well. When women canned food from the orchards and the gardens, they set aside some of the jars for MLH . Every year, the donations poured in from the bounty of many communities across the country wrapped gifts at Christmas and Easter, nuts and candy, pencils and tablets, quilts, clothing, even worn clothing for rag rugs to keep the looms busy. Over the years, the forms of giving have changed. Federal regulations no longer permit gifts of home-canned goods.
Government funding covers many needs of people with developmental disabilities.
But needs still remain and not all of them are met by tight government budgets. Today, the needs lists seek supports more than subsistence. People in nearly every agency need clothing, bath and bed linens, dishes, crafts supplies and even furniture. All of the items listed here are needed in several MLH agencies across the country. Gift certificates for major chain stores can also be distributed through the corporate offices, or through the nearest agency.