Midwest Mission Prepares to Respond After Hurricane Helene

October 4, 2024 Newsletter

Midwest Mission Prepares to Respond After Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, landed on the western coast of Florida on Thursday, September 26, and continued to plow through several southeastern states. This historic hurricane has left a path of devastation in its wake. It was the strongest storm on record to fall on the Big Bend region of Florida, but that was only the beginning. Record flooding and winds caused entire communities to be flattened from Florida to North Carolina. Millions of people are without power, and for folks who are able to return to their homes, the reality is beginning to set in that their lives are changed forever.

We are absolutely OVERWHELMED by your generosity over the last three days. Your donations will bring hope to many affected families in this disaster. Keep the momentum going! The more donations, the more we are able to send to those going through the worst moments in their lives.

This week, Midwest Mission received a request from the Florida Catholic Conference through our partner Food For The Poor. The request is for UMCOR Cleaning Kits, UMCOR Hygiene Kits, shampoo, deodorant, tarps, and trash bags. We will be sending a shipment of this disaster relief on Monday, October 7.

Because of you, Midwest Mission is ready to send supplies. Your continuous generosity means there are Kits and supplies in the building that are ready-to-go. But, after this first shipment, the supply will be depleted for the next request.

We need your help to send more supplies! 

You can help by: 

• Sending heavy duty trash bags or contractor bags to Midwest Mission (or a Permanent Collection Site near you)

• Sending shampoo (12-19 oz bottles) to Midwest Mission  (or a Permanent Collection Site near you)

• Donating funds to help us quickly purchase supplies in bulk

We are so grateful for our partnerships that allow so much good to be done in the world. Partnerships with individual and church donors bring in the funds and supplies necessary to respond quickly in moments of disaster. Partnerships with businesses get the word out, and spread hope in the midst of crisis. Partnerships with other organizations bring connections that get items into the hands of people who need it most. 

So far this week through our partner donors, organizations, and businesses:

• We helped connect Global Citizen USA with Midwest Food Bank. Midwest Food Bank was able to send two truck loads of water to Global Citizen USA who is in Asheville, NC.

• As a depot in the UMCOR relief supply network, we will quickly release Disaster Relief Kits that have been donated by you. (We partner with UMCOR by accepting, verifying, and building Disaster Relief Kits, as a separate organization.)

• Food For The Poor connected us to the Florida Catholic Conference who will distribute supplies to multiple states.

• Lamar Advertising approved sending their donated tarps (billboards they donate to us instead of disposing) to the disaster sites.

• The Bank of Springfield is holding collections in their bank lobbies.

• MASCO Packaging & Industrial Supply is donating trash bags in coordination with the Bank of Springfield

It’s in moments like these that we can see the beauty of people coming together to help in the midst of disaster.

Most importantly, please be praying for the millions of people affected by this storm. Whether they have lost their home, loved ones, or power, this is a massive crisis that will take a physical and emotional toll for weeks and months to come.

Thank you for showing God’s love in a practical wa

Two International Shipments in One Day!

Today (Friday, October 4), was a busy day! Between collecting donations for the hurricane, hosting a Hygiene Kit Packing Event, talking with the local news station, and two international shipments… it’s been an exciting Friday.

The two international shipments have been planned for several weeks, but due to it being harvest season,  and due to the Port Workers’ Strike, we couldn’t get containers. But, finally, containers were available, and able to be shipped. 

The first international shipment is headed to Guatemala, to meet needs of organizations who will disburse supplies to their beneficiaries.

It included:

• 2,400 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags (formerly called Rice Meals)

• 660 Layette Kits

• 50 Cover Them With Love Quilts

• 17 Bikes

• 76 Canes, 27 pairs of crutches, 10 wheelchairs,

• Medical supplies

This is $233,127.64 worth of humanitarian aid!

The second shipment is an Angels of Hope Shipment that will supply children’s homes and orphanages with items they need to keep a healthy, clean environment.

It included:

• 420 Home Care Kits

• 1,120 Personal Dignity Kits

• 20 Cover Them With Love Quilts

• 10 Bed Packs

• 10 Mattresses

• Disinfecting wipes

This shipment is valued at $36,760.00

Your gifts of time, treasures, and talent are life-changing to the people who are on the receiving end. Thank you!