In Partnership with Procter & Gamble, Matthew 25 Deploys Disaster Response Team to Provide Relief Services and Aid in Response to Devastating Storms

MARCH 25, 2023  Blue Ash, OH – Matthew 25: Ministries, a humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization headquartered in Blue Ash, OH is responding to the devastating storms and tornadoes that tore through Mississippi on Friday, March 24, leaving behind a trail of damage more than 100 miles long. There have been at least 23 fatalities, with dozens injured after destructive storms ravaged Mississippi, destroying homes, damaging neighborhoods and leaving thousands without power. The towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City were especially hard hit.

In partnership with Procter & Gamble, Matthew 25: Ministries is deploying their disaster response fleet including customized panel trucks loaded with P&G Personal Care Product Kits, household cleaning supplies, baby items, bottled water, and additional items including first aid and safety supplies provided by Cintas and tarps provided by Lamar. Matthew 25 will also deploy the Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Unit that can complete up to 100 loads of laundry a day, the Duracell PowerForward truck equipped to carry as many as 20,000 Duracell batteries as well as on-board charging stations for mobile devices, and a Clean-Up Trailer equipped with tools and other supplies to help those cleaning up their homes and properties. The team will distribute products and provide laundry and mobile charging services throughout affected areas. Matthew 25 will also continue working with partners to assess ongoing needs.

“The devastation from this storm is heartbreaking and will take years to recover from,” says CEO Tim Mettey. “Mississippi is an area that we have responded to before and we are in contact with our partners to see how we can best assist them with relief and recovery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been impacted by these catastrophic storms.”

In addition to deploying their Disaster Response Team, Matthew 25 is also preparing truckloads of relief aid to be ready to ship to help meet the immediate and ongoing needs of those impacted.

Matthew 25 is requesting monetary and product donations of the following types of items to supplement existing supplies, for restocking during their response to the storms in Mississippi, and for future disasters:

Monetary donations:

• Donate online or mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for the 2023 Mississippi Tornadoes will be used for the purpose intended).

Product donations – The following items will be accepted at our facility located at 11083 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242:

• Cases of bottled water: 12 and 24 count
• Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, etc.
• Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves, etc.
• Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
• Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion, etc.
• First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs, etc.
• Candles and flashlights: If necessary, please include the appropriate size batteries with any flashlight donation
• Clean-up supplies: Protective eyewear, work gloves, trash bags etc.

Matthew 25 responds to disasters domestically and internationally and provides both rapid response and long-term support to areas impacted by disaster. In 2023, Matthew 25 has responded to disasters including the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, the East Palestine train derailment, and is continuing response for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Matthew 25: Ministries has shipped more than 7 million pounds of supplies in 2023, including more than 3 million pounds of disaster relief and helped more than 8.5 million people.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities, please visit their website or follow Matthew 25 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/m25m.org, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m25m_org/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/M25M_org. For more in-depth information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, please contact Michelle Jones mjones@m25m.org.

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts cash, check, credit card and online donations for ongoing humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs, as well as product donation support. Matthew 25 also welcomes volunteers six days a week at their Blue Ash facility.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 15,000,000 pounds of products each year and redistributes them to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 20,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world. Matthew 25 is included on Forbes’ 2022 list of America’s Top 100 Charities, is a 4-star nonprofit on Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum-Level Candid Exchange seal. Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards.” For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Michelle Jones mjones@m25m.org at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256, or visit https://m25m.org/.