It was a stroke of luck that helped a Midland family feed themselves in the post-war chaos that left Britons relying on handouts.
American Edith Butler had been trying in vain to send a package of essential supplies via aid charity CARE to a cousin struggling in Smethwick.
But she could not locate him – so instead she simply scrawled “to anyone by the name of Fellows in Smethwick, England” on the package and sent it on its way.
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With luck she eventually received a letter back from a man called Fellows – but it wasn’t her cousin.
Speaking later, Edith, from Philadelphia, said: “That didn’t matter. He got some food he needed.
“At that time everyone was in need of food.
“We sent the money and trusted CARE to send what was needed.
“They told us how eagerly they awaited the boxes with candy and chocolates”.
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Despite the lack of family connection it was an act of kindness that sparked a 50-year transatlantic friendship with the Fellows.
The late Edith continued to send packages to the family for years, went on to visit them twice and then continued to write to their daughters after the death of their parents.
It is one of the many heartening tales of good will in hard times that international aid charity CARE is now trying to gather before it is too late.
Seventy years after the end of the war, it is appealing for Midland families who benefited from its handouts to come forward and reveal their memories.
Thousands of hosueholds in the Midlands received the vital provisions in the aftermath of the war provided as part of a European-wide initiative where many people were starving after six years of conflict.
Even victorious Britain was left destitute, with the country’s resources stretched to breaking point and rationing set to remain in force for a decade – so any help from charities was gratefully appreciated.
Many thousands of families in the Midlands benefited from CARE’s efforts, with packages of food and basic supplies like Edith’s sent from the USA.
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The packages often contained essential foods like sugar, flour, fat, cooking chocolate, milk powder, tinned meats and tea.
They were also customised to meet the special tastes and dietary requirements of different countries – one of the reasons that coffee was substituted for tea in the packages destined for the 海角视频.
Originally army ration packs had been distributed, though items like cigarettes and chewing gum were quickly swapped for something a little more nutritious.
With Europe in ruins and food in short supply, CARE’s humanitarian effort was on a massive scale.
In the first year after VE day, the charity distributed more than three million packages across the ravaged continent, including many to schools and hospitals.
Some 100 million boxes reached people in need during the next two decades, first in Europe and later in Asia and other parts of the developing world.
CARE International now hopes its appeal for information will jog memories and inspire Midlanders to share their tales of the eagerly-awaited aid.
CARE International 海角视频’s Kathryn Chapman said: “Many of those recipients, though some only children at the time, will remember receiving their CARE package.
“We want to find the Fellows family and others like them to hear their story.
“People are surprised to hear that British people were among the first to receive international aid – and in a climate of scepticism and aid fatigue it’s good to remember that for this aid organisation, charity did begin at home.
“The images and quotes at the time from those who received CARE packages in Britain are hugely heart-warming.
They simply could not believe that in their hour of need, someone on the other side of the world, often a stranger, had reached out to help them.
“That story is true of the people helped by CARE today – we’re the bridge between nations and people in need.”
- Anyone with stories to share can contact CARE International on 0800 320 2233 or email supportercare@careinternational.org.