Shipment of Used School Supplies and Blessing Bags Heads for Honduras

October 16th, 2026 Newsletter

In the spring of 2025, a Midwest Mission team visited communities in Honduras. Throughout their trip, one need stood out above the rest: school supplies.

Of the 35 organizations that work with our partner, Food For The Poor, Midwest Mission is the only organization providing school supplies to countless communities that would otherwise go without. After talking with Food For The Poor, organizations on the ground, and teachers, we decided to start collecting specific used school supplies to help provide resources to more schools.

Sending Student Kits filled with new school supplies would remain the priority. But in an effort to send more supplies while keeping usable school supplies out of the trash in the U.S., a new project began.

This idea was affirmed in March of this year when another team traveled back to Honduras. In a remote village, an elementary school was waiting to start its school year because the students hadn’t yet received Midwest Mission Student Kits. They had no other supplies available.

Imagine doing math without a pencil or language arts without a notebook. Having the right supplies helps improve attendance and learning, giving children a better chance at a brighter future.

Throughout 2026, we collected Used School Supplies, and our team worked hard to package them in a way that would make distribution to schools easy. This allows teachers to use the supplies as they see fit in their classrooms.

After months of planning, collecting, sorting, and packaging, this project finally came to fruition on October 14! The Operations Team loaded a container full of used school supplies.

But have no fear! These supplies went through a rigorous sorting process to ensure that the items we send are still gifts. The pens work, the notebooks don't have pages that are written on, and the glue isn’t dried out.

Instead of sitting in a landfill somewhere, these once-discarded items are creating opportunities for students in Honduras to receive a better education.

If you would like to donate used school supplies—or contact a school about hosting a collection at the end of its school year—visit midwestmission.org/schoolsupplies to learn more.

School supplies weren’t the only exciting part of this shipment! More than 21,600 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags were also included. These meals were packed at Midwest Mission and Midwest Mission Iowa during Serving September, along with contributions from other churches and organizations.

Together, these Blessing Bags will provide meals for 129,600 people in Honduras who are in desperate need of nutritious food. Thank you to everyone who attended one of our events and helped pack meals. They will soon make a big difference in the lives of people who need them.

This shipment also included:

• 280 Layette Kits

• 560 Personal Dignity Kits

• 46 Tarps

• 139 Sleeping Mats

• 67 Walkers

Weight: 36,999 lbs.

Value: $103,007.00

Join us for a Sewing Retreat in Iowa or Minnesota

This fall, Midwest Mission is hosting two Sewing Retreats, giving sewists in different parts of the Midwest an opportunity to gather, learn, and create with a purpose.

Sewists are invited to gather for three days of sewing, fellowship, worship, and service. Participants will create hand-sewn items for Midwest Mission Feminine Hygiene and Layette Kits, which provide practical resources, dignity, and hope to families around the world.

Sewing kits will be pre-cut and ready to go, and experienced sewists will be available to provide instruction and encouragement. You don't have to be an expert — you simply need a willingness to serve and a desire to put your sewing skills to work.

The retreats are free to participants, with free-will donations accepted to help cover event costs. Lodging is not included, so participants will make their own lodging arrangements.

Minnesota Sewing Retreat

October 29–31 | Alexandria United Methodist Church | Alexandria, Minnesota

Iowa Sewing Retreat

November 12–14 | Midwest Mission Iowa | Jefferson, Iowa

Learn more and register at midwestmission.org/sewingretreats