SERRV International was started in 1949 to help refugees in Europe recover economically and socially from World War II. The name SERRV is an acronym for Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation.

History of SERRV International

1949  Church of the Brethren creates SERRV to help refugees in post WWII Europe, by importing wooden cuckoo clocks from Germany to Maryland and selling them in the United States.
1960  Church World Service helps establish U.S. church network to sell SERRV crafts.
1964  First full-time director and three staff members appointed.
1981  Crafts are now primarily made by low-income artisans in 35 developing countries.
1999  SERRV International becomes an independent nonprofit marketing and development organization.
2000  SERRV sells $5.7 million in handicrafts, coffee, chocolate and other products from the developing world.
2001  SERRV moves administrative offices to Madison, Wisconsin and launches long-term development strategy in addition to alternative trade work.
2003  SERRV sells $6.6 million in handicrafts, coffee and Divine chocolate throughout the United States.
2004  In August SERRV International launches the new name, A Greater Gift, for its handcraft program.
2004  Sales top $7 million for the first time in our history! We had 13% growth over 2003 and sold $7,380,000 worth of handcrafts and foods from artisans and farmers around the world.