Community volunteers invited to help respond to Hurricane Melissa’s devastation
Midwest Mission invites the public to help pack 25,000 Rice and Soy Blessing Bags—meals that will feed 150,000 people in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
“Hurricane Melissa left behind an extreme level of destruction,” said Danille Curtis, Iowa director of Midwest Mission. “Communities were flooded, homes destroyed, and many areas are still without power.”
Midwest Mission sent its first shipment of relief supplies on Oct. 31. Now, with their partners Food For The Poor on the ground in Jamaica, the greatest need identified is food.
“When we heard food was needed most, we knew we had to respond,” said Chantel Corrie, executive director of Midwest Mission. “We just need the volunteers to pack the meals—and the donors to make it possible.”
From Nov. 20-22, Midwest Mission will host a Blessing Bag Pack event at Midwest Mission Iowa in Jefferson, assembling 5,000 meal bags to provide nourishment and hope to families in crisis. The other 20,000 meals will be packed at Midwest Mission’s location near Springfield, IL.
How to help
Volunteer to pack meals – Join a 2-hour shift to help assemble meals. Shifts are Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 pm; Friday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 am and from 1 to 3 pm; and Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 am, 1 to 3 pm, and 5 to 7 pm. Sign up at midwestmission.org/mealsforjamaica
Donate to provide meals – Each Blessing Bag meal costs only $2 and feeds six people. Every dollar brings nourishment to someone in need. Give online at midwestmission.org/mealsforjamaica
“This is what Midwest Mission does best—responding to people in crisis with tangible help and hope,” said Curtis. “If you’ve been looking for a way to make a real difference after a disaster, this is your opportunity. We’re right here in our community, making a global impact together.” For more information or to contribute to Meals for Jamaica, visit midwestmission.org/mealsforjamaica or follow @MidwestMission on social media.
