Food For The Poor is our partner who serves Latin American and Caribbean countries. Every year, they pre-position disaster relief supplies in nine countries: Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, and St. Lucia. Their disaster relief kits have supplies from several nonprofits. Each kit includes 250 tarps, 320 disaster blankets, 540 disaster hygiene kits with hygiene items from MAP International, 250 women’s care kits, 7,000 packets of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, an oral rehydration solution, 5,760 water purification packets from Water Mission, 250 hand-crank emergency radio flashlights, 5,000 diapers, and 280 Student Kits from Midwest Mission.

These kits are placed in countries where disasters are very likely every year. When a disaster happens, transportation is one of the first things that is disrupted. It can be hard to get from one place to another in one city, let alone if supplies need to be flown in. Having supplies ready-to-go, in-country, allows Food For The Poor to respond within the first 24 hours of a disaster.

If there was not a disaster in one of the countries within the year, the supplies are distributed to people in need in December. Then, in February or March of the next year (before hurricane season), more disaster kits are pre-positioned in the country. 

As mentioned above, we provide Student Kits for their big disaster relief kits. This is because when a disaster happens, everyone’s life is in chaos. For children, they are thrown out of their normal, and need something to do as their family figures out their plan for recovery. The Student Kits keep children occupied, help them cope with the trauma they are experiencing, and give them a few basic school necessities for when they can go back to school. 

On Tuesday, January 9, we sent 5,600 Student Kits on a shipment to Food For The Poor in Coconut Creek, Florida. There, their volunteers will put our Student Kits in each Disaster Relief Kit for the nine countries. 

This is a great example of how working with organizations who are all trying to do good in the world can make a bigger impact together. When we all do our part — the things we each do best — lives are changed for the better. 

Thank you for doing your part by being a part of the mission of Midwest Mission. You are sending hope and empowerment around the world and around the corner.

Each year, we evaluate our current kits, and make changes based on feedback we have received from our partners. This is why we have a new Kit Brochure every year. Please take a look at these changes, and put these into practice when you are making Midwest Mission Kits at home!

Personal Dignity Kit — remove razor, add lotion

• 1 Hand towel - no kitchen towels
• 1 Washcloth - no dishcloths
• 1 Adult toothbrush – no multipacks
• 1 Bar soap - 3-4 oz
• 1 Shampoo - 12-19 oz
• 1 Deodorant - 2-3 oz - stick, roll on, or pump
• 1 Lotion - 8-10 oz
• 1 1-gal resealable plastic bag
• $2 donation for toothpaste and carrying bag, per kit.

After our time in Jamaica, we found out that a lot of times, they have to remove the razor from the bags before handing them out. This is because the bags go to a lot of children, hospital patients, and even prisons! They shared about the need for lotion, so we took out the razor, and added the lotion instead.

Birthing Kit Removed

Based on feedback from our partners, we have made the decision to remove the Birthing Kit from our Kit list. This decision was not made lightly, but was ultimately what we felt was right. The Birthing Kit was originally adapted from UMCOR, and created for rural use. However, many times, these were being used in hospitals, where the entire kit was not necessary. Because we want to steward our resources as best as possible, and because we want the resources we send to be safe and beneficial to the receivers, we decided to remove the kit. Moving forward, we will provide hospitals with individual needed items when requested and possible.

Cover Them With Love Quilt Size Change

Cover Them With Love Quilts will now be 42"x72."

This is so the quilts can fit on a twin-size mattress.

You can use any quilt pattern for the quilts. If you have any questions, email patterns@midwestmission.org or call 217-483-7911.

God is doing great things at Midwest Mission! We combined some of our most recent "God Moments" into a publication called "God is On the Move."

Using the button below, you can download the stories and share with someone you know!

January Church Bulletin Insert

We offer monthly church bulletin inserts that you can slide in your church's bulletin. These inserts keep your congregation up-to-date on our current needs and upcoming events!

You can purchase these items at your local store, or make them, and take them to Midwest Mission or a Collection Site near you. You can also buy items online and have them shipped right to Midwest Mission.

Liquid Household Cleaner

56-80 oz total (no spray bottles)

purchase online here

Receiving Blankets

28"x28" - 32"x32" — can be store-bought or handmade — purchase online here

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

• 330 Student Kits
• 100 Personal Dignity Kits Off-Site - Grace UMC, Jacksonville, IL
• Bike Shop
• Sewing Machine Shop
• Desk Shop





Disbursements

• CICIM, Decatur, IL: Furniture, linens Value: $6,408.00
• St. Martin de Porres, Springfield, IL: Linens Value: $11,448.00
• CICIM, Decatur, IL: Furniture Value: $3,767.00
• St. Martin de Porres, Springfield, IL: Body wipes Value: $26,880.00
• Little Galilee Church Camp, Clinton, IL: 56 Twin mattresses Value: $5,600.00
• Food For The Poor, Coconut Creek, FL: 5,600 Student Kits Value: $89,600.00

Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!



Ready to Get Involved?

Volunteer at Midwest Mission

Dates are available in 2023, 2024, and 2025

Need a Saturday option for team volunteering

or assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063

Click below to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.

Volunteer Reservation Calendar



2025 Volunteer Calendar is open for dorm reservations!

Go to our Reservation Calendar, log in, reserve your rooms, and submit payment for your Non-refundable Reservation Fee via credit card or electronic check. We will email you the Access Code to reserve Volunteer Shifts for your team. You must complete this step for your team to volunteer at Midwest Mission.

For local teams and individuals: Volunteer Shifts will only be available 3 months ahead of time. For example, December 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for March of 2024.

Thank you for your patience as we try to improve the reservation experience for both local teams and those staying in the dorm.

Jeff and Jane Johnson

Glen Carbon, IL

Our Saviour's UMC

Shaumburg, IL

Springfield First UMC Sewing Group

Springfield, IL

Clarence Harms

Brillion, WI