This summer brought significant challenges with tornadoes in the Midwest and flooding in Texas and New Mexico.Midwest Food Bank responded by preparing and sending food boxes and hygiene kits as requested by our partner, The Salvation Army.
After May’s tornadoes, we moved 24 pallets of food and hydration supplies to St. Louis. Local distribution partners handled delivery to individuals who had lost homes and power.
Early July floods in Central Texas resulted in a rapid two-phase response. Over 1,000 food boxes were assembled and shipped immediately with distribution support from The Salvation Army. The first phase focused on emergency food and hygiene supplies for those displaced. In the second phase, Midwest Food Bank Texas is supporting long-term recovery by restocking local pantries and agency shelves.
Later in July, major flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, led to another shipment of disaster relief. We sent more food boxes to survivors of the severe flash flooding in Vado, New Mexico, which affected hundreds of residents south of Ruidoso. Each deployment was supported by donors, volunteer packing teams, and our ongoing supply staging.
- Our Disaster Relief program operates year-round, providing food, water, and essential supplies to communities impacted by natural disasters across the United States.
- In 2024 alone, we delivered $9 million in disaster relief, standing alongside partners like The Salvation Army and Somebody Cares to answer the call—sometimes within hours of a disaster striking.
- We keep thousands of disaster relief food boxes and hygiene kits pre-staged at our warehouses, ready for immediate distribution.
- Our volunteer teams assemble, fill, and deliver these boxes, serving as the hands and feet of our mission.
- Each food box provides a week’s worth of shelf-stable meals for a family.
“We keep our supplies ready so we can act the moment we’re called,” says John Cirilli, Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank Morton, IL. “Preparation and partnerships make our response possible.”
Midwest Food Bank will continue working with nonprofit partners in affected areas, sending food and supplies as recovery continues. Every act of service reflects our calling to share the love of Christ.
Financial support allows Midwest Food Bank to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters. Your support is especially needed as we approach hurricane season, typically our busiest time for disaster relief. Make a difference for families in crisis. Donate here.
