Clean Up Buckets

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I have a passion for the missions, and most especially for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. (UMCOR) Of all the many charities out there, UMCOR is one of the few that can claim to be at the site of a disaster as soon as something happens, and that they will stay until the mess is cleaned up.  UMCOR missions are many, their outreach is huge, and their impact is great.  They reach out to all people, regardless of faith, and make a difference in the world.

In response to the recent flooding in South Carolina, UMCOR sent out clean up buckets to the people living in homes affected by flooding.  While these buckets might not seem like a lot, they will help someone begin the process of cleaning up their homes and getting their lives back together.

What kinds of things are in a clean up bucket?  A clothesline and clothespins.  Dish detergent, laundry detergent, trash bags, sponges, scrub brushes, multi-purpose cleaner, and a pair of heavy duty work gloves.

You can see the complete list here.

Back in July, our church made the decision to collect flood buckets this fall, and deliver them to the closest depot at the end of October, beginning of November.  The depots hold the buckets in storage until they are needed.  The empty shelves will need to be filled once again.  Who fills the buckets?  Volunteers like you and me. They are collected by local churches, or shipped by individuals to local depots around the country.

I finished putting our bucket together this week.

Here is some of the stuff that will go into the bucket:

And here is a view of the stuff going into the bucket, from the top:

My bucket is one of many.  I am curious how many we will end up collecting. (I am one of the co-chairs of this effort.) The last time we collected buckets, in the wake of Super Storm Sandy, we collected 50 buckets.  I am hoping we collect at least that many this time.

One very easy, tangible way to help others in need!