During World War I but prior to military involvement, the United States sent aid in other ways to the French, Belgian, and British troops and citizens. One initiative, put together by future President Herbert Hoover, known as the Commission for Relief in Belgium, sent sacks of flour to Belgium and parts of Northern France. In return, the citizens who received these sacks would then decorate them and send them back to America. Sometimes painted, other times embroidered, and even made into useful objects like pillows or jackets, they often included Belgian and American flags or other patriotic symbols.

This particular flour sack was originally from the Sperry Flour Co. in California (San Francisco). It was called "American Indian" Soft Wheat Flour, and it has been stamped "Secours aux prisonniers" [relief for prisoners], although not all the information on the stamp is legible. There are Belgian and American flags, but the rest of the painted design centers around illuminating and adding to the profile of a Native American (part of the original design of the flour sack). The artist has signed the bag, but the only legible part reads: "P. Jean Ve____."