Here is the latest in disaster response efforts from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, from Great Plains Conference disaster response coordinator, the Rev. Hollie Tapley:
A sample of the flood damage in Houston. Photo from Texas Annual Conference.
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. The contents of a cleaning kit, from the UMCOR website:
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
5 scouring pads
Remove from wrapper
No stainless steel, Brillo pads, or SOS pads (nothing with soap built in)