Germany invaded Belgium near the beginning of the war and occupied the country from 1914-1918. During the occupation, thousands of Belgian refugees fled the country, and those who stayed faced a food crisis. Future U.S. president Hebert Hoover organized a relief committee in Europe to provide food for hungry Belgians. The American Relief Association also provided thousands of pounds of food, including flour processed in Minneapolis mills. 

This flour bag from Northwestern Consolidated Milling Company in Minneapolis was sent to Belgium, filled with 49 pounds of flour. As a thank-you, Belgians decorated the sack and sent it back to Minnesota.