Midwest Mission Needs Your Help to Pack 25,000 Blessing Bags for Jamaica!

November 7, 2025 Newsletter

As the impact of Hurricane Melissa becomes known, it is very clear that Jamaica will need help for months and years to come.

Our partner, Food For The Poor, is the backbone of Jamaica’s disaster relief and distribution network. The ministry started in Jamaica over 40 years ago, and since then, they have been the number one trusted humanitarian organization to assist the people of Jamaica. Their partnerships and relationships are more important than ever as they quickly disburse supplies and work hand-in-hand with the government and other non-governmental agencies who are serving people affected by Hurricane Melissa.

In a recent meeting with the team in Jamaica, they told us that in Jamaica alone, over 1.1 million people were affected, with 173 communities impacted and more than 130 roads blocked by flooding and landslides. At least 28 deaths have been reported, and over 30,000 people have been displaced. The situation is bleak. But hope and help are on the way!

Food For The Poor has already sent 39 containers of emergency goods on their way to Jamaica, including the supplies we sent out last Friday.

In our meeting, we discussed what the next steps are — what the biggest needs are that Midwest Mission can meet. 

The need was obvious: food. 

Because of this, Midwest Mission will be sending an entire 40’ container full of Rice and Soy Blessing Bags — that’s 48,000 bags that will feed 288,000 people. 

Thanks to partnering churches and organizations hosting Blessing Bag Packs at their locations in November, we will have about 23,000 bags coming into the building in the next month. To complete the requested shipment of 48,000 bags, we still need 25,000 bags.

So, Midwest Mission will be hosting Blessing Bag Packs at both locations (Pawnee, IL and Jefferson, IA) to assemble all of the meals! 

You can help meet this need in three ways:

1. Donate to Provide Meals

We need to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of the 25,000 Blessing Bags. 

💛 $24 = feeds 72 people

💛 $50 = feeds 150 people

💛 $150 = feeds 450 people

💛 $300 = feeds 900 people

You can donate online at https://give.midwestmission.org/donate/meals-for-jamaica-in?segmentCode=ME1125EM7Or send a check to 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558

2. Volunteer to Pack Blessing Bags

   Join us at Midwest Mission for a 2-hour shift and help assemble meals for Jamaica. There are volunteer shifts at our main location in Pawnee, IL, and our second location in Jefferson, IA. These shifts take place on Thursday, November 20 - Sunday, November 23.

   
   

   Sign up to pack meals in Illinois: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DADA922AAF8C52-60212636-pack#/

   Sign up to pack meals in Iowa: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DADA922AAF8C52-60243314-iowa

3. Spread the Word!

   You can also help get the word out about this great way to serve the people of Jamaica and show God’s love practically. When disasters happen, many people want to help, but they don’t know how. There are so many practical, hands-on ways that people can get involved. From serving at the Blessing Bag Pack, to collecting and donating needed items, to praying, there are so many things anyone can do! Learn more about all the ways you can get involved at midwestmission.org/hurricane-relief

We are thankful for the opportunity to spread hope in the midst of this disaster. By meeting people’s physical needs, you are showing them God’s love in a very practical way. 

No one should go hungry. We are in the position to make sure they don’t. 

Will you help?

Shipments #60 & #61 Went Out This Week!

God continues to pour out His blessings upon this organization, and we are just overwhelmed with gratitude. This week, another two shipments went out, bringing our total of international shipments to 61 for the year! 

To put this in perspective, before this year, the most international shipments we had sent out was 48 — and that was in 2022. 

With natural and manmade disasters bringing chaos and crisis, the need continues to grow. And you are responding in overwhelming ways. 61 shipments wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t provide the items to send. 

Both shipments this week went out on Thursday, November 6.

The first was an Angels of Hope shipment that will bless children's homes in Honduras. This 20’ container was filled with:

• 540 Home Care Kits

• 280 Personal Dignity Kits

• 6 Twin Hospital Be Mattresses

• 42 Cover Them With Love Quilts

• 72 cases of Scrubber Sponges

• Puzzles and Games.

  
  

  Its value was $35,260.00.

The second was a general-in-kind shipment with all types of items that will be distributed by organizations in Guatemala. The 40’ container was filled with:

• 15 Bikes

• 6 Treadle Sewing Machines

• 25 Electric Sewing Machines

• 15,600 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags

• 280 Birthing Kits

• 154 Feminine Hygiene Kits

• 156 Layette Kits

• 99 Sleeping Mats made from Plarn

• Medical Supplies

• Tarps

The value of this shipment was $157,440.80.

Whether you give monetarily, donate items, share about the ministry, or pray for Midwest Mission and the people we serve, you are the reason these shipments are happening. Thank you!