Disaster Response Team Deploying to Support Impacted Communities in Illinois and Indiana

June 12, 2026  Blue Ash, OH – Matthew 25: Ministries, an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization headquartered in Blue Ash, Ohio, is responding to the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that swept across portions of the Midwest on June 11, causing significant damage across Illinois, Indiana, and surrounding states.

The severe weather outbreak produced multiple tornadoes, destructive winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, leaving a trail of damaged homes, businesses, and infrastructure throughout the region. Communities including Streator, Illinois, experienced extensive storm damage, while other areas across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana continue to assess impacts from the fast-moving storm system. Thousands of residents have been affected by power outages, downed trees, damaged structures, and debris-covered roadways as recovery efforts begin.

In response, Matthew 25: Ministries will deploy their Disaster Response Team tomorrow, June 13^th to assist communities impacted by the storms. The team is expected to operate in Streator, Illinois, and Merrillville, Indiana, while also serving surrounding communities as needs are identified. Matthew 25 will distribute essential relief supplies to individuals and families affected by the severe weather including personal care items, cleaning products, paper goods, Duracell batteries, Cintas first aid and safety kits, and other essential necessities to support those beginning the recovery process.

Additional shipments of aid are being prepared and will be deployed as damage assessments continue, and community needs are identified throughout the affected areas.

“When disaster impacts a community, the needs can be immediate and overwhelming,” said CEO Tim Mettey. “Our goal is to get essential supplies into the hands of families as quickly as possible while standing alongside local partners and residents throughout the recovery process. We want those affected by these storms to know they have not been forgotten.”

Donate online at https://m25m.org/donate or mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for the June 2026 Midwest Tornadoes will be used for the purpose intended).  A full list of the product categories being requested for relief and restocking is available here https://m25m.org/disaster/junetornadoes26/. Donations can also be dropped off at 11083 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.

Matthew 25 responds to disasters both domestically and internationally, providing rapid response assistance as well as long term support to communities in need. This year, the organization responded to the Mississippi tornadoes, Southwest Michigan tornadoes, flooding in Millville and Okeana, OH and the January severe weather system that impacted several regions across the United States. Throughout 2025, Matthew 25 also provided aid following multiple tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and severe storms, while continuing its humanitarian response to the crisis in Ukraine, now in its fifth year of conflict.

In 2025 alone, Matthew 25: Ministries shipped more than 23 million pounds of supplies, including over 3.5 million pounds designated for disaster relief, helping more than 32 million people worldwide. In recognition of this impact, Matthew 25: Ministries was named a TIME101 Honoree for 2025, an award recognizing individuals and organizations making a significant difference in communities around the world.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities, please visit their website https://www.m25m.org 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 at [email protected].

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 25,000,000 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 30,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world. Matthew 25: Ministries is the TIME101 Honoree for 2025. Matthew 25 is included on Forbes’ 2025 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 [email protected] at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256, or visit https://m25m.org/.