Liberians From Des Moines Package Meals for Ebola Patients in Liberia

Liberians in the Des Moines gathered at Outreach’s warehouse in Des Moines on Saturday, Oct. 4,  to package life-saving meals to send to Ebola patients in Liberia West Africa.

They packaged part of the one million meals to be shipped from the Outreach warehouse to The Ministry of Health in Liberia. 300,000 meals were shipped from Outreach’s warehouse on September 18.  The second shipment of 300,000 meals will leave on October 9.  Two additional container shipments of 300,000 meals will be sent prior to Christmas.

Volunteer, Grace Beakoi, says it’s a privilege to give back to her native country. “It’s hard to see any country go through tragedy but it’s always nice to know you can lend a helping hand.”

Outreach founder Floyd Hammer says, “This is a great opportunity for Liberians and their friends to help the Ebola patients in Liberia.  Many have family and friends in Liberia who are affected by the Ebola crisis and this is the way to save lives.”

Des Moines resident and Lutheran Church of Hope Mission Board member Walter Gwenigale is from Liberia. Gwenigale has spearheaded the effort to raise funds necessary to ship the donated meals from Des Moines to Liberia. Each 40’ container has a freight cost of approximately $7,500.00.  Gwenigale says, “My father is Minister of Health for the country of Liberia. Hospitals don’t have food to give the patients and the patients are quarantined so the family can’t bring them food. However, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, this food will reach the patients and save lives.”

Outreach founders Floyd and Kathy immediately responded when Walter Grweningale, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, requested assistance of Outreach.   “Because we’ve taken over twelve-hundred medical personnel to Africa in the last eleven years, we know how desperate patients in hospitals are for food.  The hospitals typically do not supply food so it is up to the patient’s family but often they are destitute and with Ebola the family cannot attend to the relative because of the possibility of Ebola transmission. These meals will ensure nutritious food that is often not available, but yet critically needed. We asked our packing associates Food for Kidz, Liberty Ministries, KAH Brainerd, and Friends Against Hunger if they wanted to help with this effort. They immediately said “yes” and provided meals!

If others would like to join the cause, there are several opportunities to help:

1. If your group would like to package meals for Outreach to Liberia, please call us at: 641-486-2550 or email us at: office@outreachprogram.org
2. Ways to make a tax-deductible donation:

Website:  www.outreachprogram.org

• Text OUTREACH to:  641-243-4341
• Send a check to

Please specify Outreach to Liberia when you give.  The cost of the meals:

• $25 dollars will provide 100 meals
• $50 will provide 200 meals
• $100 will provide 400 meals
• $500 will provide 2,000 meals

Together, we make a difference!