“We’re Going to Need a Lot of Flood Buckets”

One of Jenny’s close friends lives down in the Houston area and Jenny has been keeping in touch with her through the hurricane and the flooding. Once when asked how things were going she said “We’re Going to Need a Lot of Flood Buckets.”

The Great Plains Annual Conference is making arrangements for transportation of the Flood Buckets (the technical term is now “cleaning kits). The church does have some five gallon buckets available to get you started. We will be supplying kits to help with the second wave of relief efforts. At this time, no loose or extra items are requested, only complete cleaning kits.

The following is from Great Plains Conference disaster response coordinator, the Rev. Hollie Tapley:

UMCOR Sager Brown Depot Director Amy Fuselier has requested that the Great Plains Conference provide as many Cleaning Kits (Buckets) as possible. Please check umcor.org for a list of items and packing instructions. All kits – ONLY COMPLETED kits, are to be at either the Wichita, Topeka or Lincoln Conference Offices no later than Sept. 13. NO LOOSE items will be accepted, as these kits will be delivered to Texas on Sept. 16. Please make sure the kits are clean and represent the Great Plains Conference in a professional way. The last collection we made, more than 50 buckets had to be thrown away because of mold growing on the inside and dirty buckets. To help to prevent mold from growing inside, make sure the sponges are in a closed wrap or Ziploc bag.

Cleaning Kit Materials

  • 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
    • Buckets from fast-food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned
    • Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner
    • Advertisements on the outside are acceptable
  • Liquid laundry detergent
    • One 50-oz. or two 25-oz. bottle(s) only
  • Liquid household cleaner
    • 12‐16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water
    • No spray cleaners
  • Dish soap
    • 16‐28 oz. bottle any brand
  • 1 can air freshener
    • Aerosol or pump
  • 1 insect repellant spray
    • 6‐14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover
  • 1 scrub brush
    • Plastic or wooden handle
  • 18 cleaning wipes
    • Handi Wipes or reusable wipes
    • No terry cleaning towels
    • Remove from packaging
  • 7 sponges
    • No cellulose sponges due to mold issues
    • Remove from wrapper and place in a ziplock Bag
  • 5 scouring pads
    • Remove from wrapper
    • No stainless steel, Brillo pads, or SOS pads (nothing with soap built in)
  • 50 clothespins
  • Clothesline
    • One 100-ft. or two 50-ft. lines
    • Cotton or plastic
  • 24-roll heavy-duty trash bags
    • 33‐ to 45-gallon sizes
    • Remove from the box
  • 5 dust masks
  • 2 pairs kitchen dishwashing gloves
    • Should be durable enough for multiple uses
    • Remove from packaging
  • 1 pair work gloves
    • Cotton with leather palm or all leather

Link: http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-Supply-Kits/Cleaning