Church Donates $550K in Food and Relief Supplies

A Morton, Illinois food bank just received a massive gift that will help them feed thousands more families facing hunger.

Midwest Food Bank celebrated a $550,000 donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their warehouse this month. The contribution includes food, disaster relief supplies, and equipment that will expand the nonprofit's reach across the Midwest and beyond.

"This is more than a donation — it's an investment in our ability to serve," said Jada Hoerr, chief resource officer of Midwest Food Bank. "The church's support allows us to respond faster, go farther and feed more people."

The donation comes from multiple sources within the church, including the Light the World Giving Machine fundraising effort in Iowa. Part of the celebration included a check presentation recognizing that community's generosity.

The gift includes some serious muscle for getting food where it needs to go. New assets include a semi-trailer headed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plus a forklift, semi tractor, and refrigerated trailer designated for Indiana operations.

But the donation goes beyond just trucks and equipment. The church also provided 4,000 disaster relief kits ready to deploy when emergencies strike, plus 200,000 servings of Tender Mercies meals for families in crisis.

Transportation and warehousing equipment will help the food bank reach remote and underserved areas that often struggle to access food assistance programs. These tools matter when geography becomes a barrier to basic needs.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership shows how organizations working together can multiply their impact. The church brings resources and a nationwide network of volunteers, while Midwest Food Bank provides the infrastructure and expertise to get food to those who need it most.

Kirt L. Hodges, a regional leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, summed up the spirit behind the gift: "Every meal, every piece of equipment — it's all about getting help to those who need it most."

Thousands of families across the country will feel the impact of this donation in the coming months.