UMCOR Announces Changes — Midwest Mission Remains Committed To Serving

Yesterday, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) announced it will reimagine its disaster material resources management model. As part of this restructuring, UMCOR will close its Sager Brown volunteer facility — the only UMCOR-owned and funded depot — at the end of 2026. (Read Full Announcement Here)

UMCOR shared that it plans to continue building and distributing disaster relief supply kits across the United States, with a renewed focus on increasing efficiency, scalability, and responsiveness while reducing costs. In its announcement, UMCOR said it will “seek an experienced logistics partner and expand collaboration with affiliate warehouses across the country, allowing for easier geographic coverage during disasters and enhanced opportunities for volunteer participation.”

We know this news has understandably raised many questions. Midwest Mission, along with other affiliate warehouses, learned of this decision only yesterday as well. 

While details are still unfolding, here is what we know: 

1. Midwest Mission is alive, active, and growing! Midwest Mission is not UMCOR; we are an affiliate warehouse. Midwest Mission is a separate 501(c)(3) organization. We are not owned, funded, or operated by UMCOR, and do not receive apportionment dollars from the United Methodist Church. UMCOR is Midwest Mission’s main U.S. Disaster Relief Partner, but we also have partnerships for domestic and international supply distribution. We maintain a covenant relationship with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and the North Central Jurisdiction, but we operate independently. The closure of UMCOR Sager Brown does not affect Midwest Mission’s operations. In fact, we believe this transition may create new opportunities to strengthen collaboration with United Methodist churches, and expand our reach to serve more people in crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), when UMCOR Sager Brown temporarily closed, Midwest Mission remained open. Supplies from Sager Brown were shipped to us, and we increased kit production to help sustain the network’s disaster response capacity. We stand ready to do the same whenever needed.

2. Midwest Mission's Role in the UMCOR Relief Supply Network Midwest Mission is currently one of seven cooperating depots in the UMCOR relief supply network. As an affiliate warehouse, we receive, assemble, store, and distribute UMCOR disaster relief kits throughout the United States upon request during disasters. UMCOR Sager Brown was the only depot owned and funded directly by UMCOR. There was previously a warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah that UMCOR also funded, but closed in 2020. After that, Midwest Mission worked to support the West through the kit ministry for disaster response.  In May of 2022, UMCOR relinquished much of its central control over most aspects of the relief supply network to encourage local leadership and autonomy. In a letter from Roland Fernandes, General Secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR, to the Affiliate Depots in April of 2022, he stated, “I have determined that it is time for UMCOR to make some adjustments to the relief kit program. To increase efficiency and accountability, promote collaboration, and honor local autonomy in disaster response, UMCOR will make the following changes:

   1. Churches and conferences will be encouraged to send the completed relief kits to the nearest UMCOR affiliate warehouse.

   2. Those sending funds associated with the donation of kits may send funds directly to the nearest affiliate warehouse.” Click here to read the full letter.
      

   The affiliate network has long worked collaboratively during disasters, sharing resources to meet urgent needs. When one depot experiences high demand, others step in to help. If flooding depletes bucket supplies in the Midwest, another warehouse can ship additional supplies. If a hurricane exhausts hygiene kits along the coast, Midwest Mission stands ready to respond. This cooperative spirit will continue.Learn more about Midwest Mission’s long-standing partnership with UMCOR here: midwestmission.org/umcor.

3. You Can Still Volunteer & Be a Part of the Mission Although we do not know all the details of the restructuring, Midwest Mission will continue to receive UMCOR Kits as donations, assemble them, store them, and send them out for disasters within the United States. We recognize that many volunteers hold deep love and gratitude for UMCOR Sager Brown. We grieve alongside those who have served and worked there. Their impact has been profound, and we are thankful for years of partnership and shared ministry.

There is still space — and need — for your hands and heart in this work.

You can still:

• Volunteer at our Pawnee, Illinois, or Jefferson, Iowa, locations — serve with a group or as an individual

• Assemble and send UMCOR disaster relief kits to Midwest Mission or Permanent Collection Sites 

• Make Midwest Mission kits for domestic and international distribution

• Serve from home or at your church

• Support Midwest Mission financially to ensure rapid disaster response

4. The Difference Between UMCOR Kits and Midwest Mission Kits.UMCOR disaster relief kits are distributed only within the United States during times of disaster. This policy has been in place since 2018. Midwest Mission stores and distributes UMCOR kits domestically.

In addition, Midwest Mission offers eight other humanitarian kits — not connected to UMCOR — which are distributed both domestically and internationally. Beyond kits, we also …

1. Repair sewing machines and bicycles

2. Collect and ship medical equipment

3. Provide firefighting gear and emergency response vehicles

… all to support under-resourced communities around the world and around the corner.

No matter what changes occur within the broader network, Midwest Mission will continue transforming donated resources into practical, tangible relief.

---

As we receive more information about UMCOR’s restructuring, we are committed to transparent communication with our supporters and partners, and wise stewardship of the resources God provides to help God’s people. We grieve for those who support, volunteer, and work at UMCOR Sager Brown. We have been great partners and colleagues and will keep them all in our prayers. We also pray for the future of the UMCOR Kit ministry and know God has something great in store, so we can get more people serving and help more people. We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we know that Midwest Mission’s commitment to show God’s love in a practical way through our mission — bringing the hearts and hands of God’s people together to transform resources into humanitarian relief — will not change. You can still volunteer — bring a group or come as an individual!

You can still make Kits and send them to cooperating depots!

You can still donate to the ministry, ensuring relief is sent quickly to people in need.

Together, we will keep sending hope. Together, we will keep serving. And together, we will continue sharing Christ’s love with a world in need.

In mission together,

Chantel Corrie

Executive Director of Midwest Mission