Help Reach the Goal of 200,000 Blessing Bags in 2025

May 23rd, 2025 Newsletter

A few weeks ago, we shared a story that highlighted a big point for us — Midwest Mission will be called on to send a lot more meals. Because of cuts to funding for many nonprofits that provide food, there is going to be a gap, and as a result, many people will go without food. 

Because Midwest Mission is not funded by federal funds, we have the opportunity to step up and meet more needs! 

Our mission is to bring the hearts and hands of God’s people together to transform resources into humanitarian relief. YOU play a vital part in that mission. By bringing people together to serve, you help send hope and empowerment around the world and around the corner.

Now’s the time to get involved. Our goal is to make 200,000 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags in 2025, so we are ready to respond to requests that come in. Right now, there will be 150,000 Blessing Bags made in 2025, based on Blessing Bag Packs that have been scheduled through the end of the year.

You can help meet the goal by helping with the remaining 50,000 meals! Bring your church family, community, or organization together for a fun event that is so impactful — for both the people who will receive the meals, and for those making the meals.

Book your Blessing Bag Pack now and help reach the goal of 200,000 bags! 

Visit midwestmission.org/off-site to learn more, or call our office to book your pack — 217-483-7911.

Marriage Proposal at Midwest Mission

By Lisa Rigoni, Development Manager

What fun it was to help orchestrate a marriage proposal at Midwest Mission. Seriously! 

The Pathfinder Church Team from Portage, MI was on campus serving during the last week of April. As I was visiting with volunteer, Tracy Farnsworth, in the Kit Room, I learned that she had a boyfriend who also happened to be on the team, Eddie Anderson. It took me a minute to connect who he was because Eddie’s nametag identified him as “Trouble.” 

Then Tracy began talking about him and she simply lit up. Her eyes sparkled and her big smile spoke volumes. Naturally, I asked for more details and found out that they planned to get married. “We have the ring. He just hasn’t asked me, yet. We want it to be special and I’m ready. I just don’t know when it will happen.” 

I got swept up in listening to her talk about him, because it was apparent how in love she is with him. Her excitement about sharing the rest of her life with him was abundantly clear. She couldn’t say his name without grinning from ear to ear. 

Then, out of my mouth, without thinking, came … “What if you got engaged right here at Midwest Mission? That could be special.” 

Her instant response surprised me. “Really? We could do that?” Then we continued talking and I told her I didn’t think we’d had a proposal (that I knew of) on campus and how much fun it could be. She agreed, but said it would have to be Eddie’s decision. She knew he wanted to make it special, too. I told her I might mention it to him, for fun, and get his reaction. I asked her if that would be alright and she gave me the green light. That’s where we left it. 

When I found Eddie, he was in Warehouse 2 scraping vinyl lettering off one of the trailers we had just received. I put on a very serious look, and told him I needed to talk to him. He looked concerned and asked what he’d done? I simply smiled and said, “I heard a rumor. You and Tracy are a couple?” Oh, my goodness, it was like I had opened up everything he dreamed of. “Yes!” His expression was priceless, like a little boy with a first crush.

“Eddie, Tracy said that you two were getting engaged and that you were in charge of making it special. I was wondering if you might want to propose during break, make it a surprise, and have your whole team and our staff there?”

His lip quivered a little, as tears brimmed up in his eyes. “I could do that?” I said, “Yes, if you happen to have the ring here with you.” 

“I do. It’s in my room in the Lodge. I’d just have to go get it. What time is break?” I told him 10 a.m. “What time is it now?” It was 9:26. He put his tools down, smiled and practically ran. “I have to go get the ring.”

The stage was set, though a few details had to be settled. I let Mallory (Communications Manager) know what was happening so she could be ready to video. I had my phone so I could take pictures. Eddie had the ring. I let Brad (our Operations Director) in on it because he was scheduled to speak at that break. And I did mention it to their Team Leader, Kathie Davies. Seemed only right. Then, I invited the entire Midwest Mission staff to break time through a cryptic email and assured them they wouldn’t want to miss it, but didn’t reveal what was going on. Everyone showed up! 

Eddie had spoken at the break the day before, so after Brad talked I made up a reason to invite Eddie up to “speak” again. He started to talk, then pulled the box with the beautiful ring from his pocket and asked a very unsuspecting Tracy to stand as he got down on one knee! He popped the question and she responded with a resounding “YES!” They smooched and everyone gathered around to congratulate them and to see the ring. Their love is so evident, pictures captured it. We were able to pray over the newly engaged couple at a later time in the day. 

How did they meet?

Tracy worked at Pathfinder UMC in Portage, MI from 2009 to 2023. She and Eddie have known each other since February 2023 when he came to work at St. Lukes where she then worked as the church administrator. He was the facilities manager. “We started officially dating in January 2024 and we’ve been together ever since.”

What was the first thing that made you know she was the one? 

“Her smile. She’s beautiful,” Eddie said as he looked toward her. “We went to lunch together a lot at work. We got to know each other in those times.” 

Tracy chimed in. “Yes, but then I made him take me on an ‘official date’. He had to plan it ... ” 

Eddie interrupted, “So, I took her to downtown Memphis on a carriage ride and then …” Tracy jumped back in, “We went out to eat at a nice restaurant.” And, yes, they are already finishing each other’s sentences. 

“And he makes me laugh!” 

“Yes, and sometimes she laughs so hard her stomach hurts,” Eddie added, grinning from ear to ear.

“This year, I decided I wanted to quit work and I could retire,” Tracy explained. “He had already retired from 22 years as a postal carrier. We decided we wanted to move back home to Portage, Michigan, where my son just got married in March.” 

“And I wasn’t about to burst his bubble and ask her to marry me during that time. So, I waited until after they got married to ask her. We went together to the jewelry store and picked out three rings. “Until today, she didn’t know which one I got.” He let out a chuckle. If she doesn’t like it I can always say “Well, you picked it!” They both laughed out loud.

Tracy said, “We have our two church families, St. Luke’s in Memphis. Pathfinder in Michigan (who they were at Midwest Mission with) and now you all (Midwest Mission) are going to be our third!”

They were already discussing their honeymoon plans. I’m sure it will be just as special as the proposal. In fact, I’m sure they will have a beautiful marriage, as it’s built on love, faith, laughter, friendship and prayer. 

Tracy and Eddie, I’m not sure how we’ll top this, your very first experience volunteering at Midwest Mission, but we are thrilled you decided this was a special place to begin your official engagement!

Congratulations, to you both!