FLOOD BUCKETS: a way you can begin to help now.

[RevCheesehead]

http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/floodbucket.stm

The United Methodist Church sends these buckets to places that suffer loss, and will no doubt be sending them to LA, MS and other places in need. It's a simple project that you can do, or a group can do, to help make a difference.

What you need:
* a 5-gal bucket with resealable lid.

In the bucket, add these items (please match specific items & sizes)
* bleach (2 1-qt or 1 82 oz bottle)
* 5 scouring pads
* 7 sponges
* 1 scrub brush
* 18 cleaning towels (reuseable wipes)
* Liquid laundry detergent (2 25-oz or on 50-oz bottle)
* 1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz bottle
* disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz bottle
* 50 clothes pins
* Clothes line (2 50-ft or 1 100-ft)
* 5 dust masks
* 2 pair latex gloves
* 1 pair work gloves
* 24-bag roll of heavy duty trash bags, 33-45 gal. (remove from box)
* 1 insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz can, w/protective cap
* 1 air freshener, 8 or 9 oz can, with protective cap

* please include $1.50/bucket for processing & shipping.

Take your completed bucket to the nearest local United Methodist Church - they can send them on to the agency.
If you don't want to work through a local UMC, check the website for info on how to send buckets directly to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief).

Value (as of last November): $45. You can get a donation receipt from the church for tax purposes.

[faithfulcitizen]

1. this is great, thank you! nt

[Lilyhoney]

2. Sounds like a good plan. Thanks. nt

[faithfulcitizen]

3. kickin' this Rev, cause it's hard to get above the "looting" threads

[proud patriot]

4. Thanks this is something I can do

:hug:

[SoCalDem]

5. You could also slip into those buckets

phone cards
sealed beef jerky
squeeze peanut butter
paper/pencil/stamps
sealed dried fruit

without adding too much weight

[RevCheesehead]

6. a wonderful idea, but not accepted.

If you add anything, the buckets are rendered useless. Lousy, I know, but they've got to maintain the same standard. If anything is added, or missing, they pull the bucket aside and re-do it. Their goal is to get them out to people ASAP.

[Gruenemann]

7. Nope, 'fraid not..

From the above-linked site:

The following resources are used in places where people may have suffered losses due to natural or human made disasters. Please follow the directions exactly. Include all items; do not add items that are not on the lists. Extra gifts, though given with the best of intentions, render a kit unusable and must be removed. Note: All items sent must be new!

[SoCalDem]

10. well poo!

:(

[wildflower]

8. Thanks, RevCheeseHead. Would it be okay to substitute

environmentally-friendly cleaning products? Except for the bleach (I guess).

-wildflower

[RevCheesehead]

11. as long as you keep the size requirements the same,

I think it would be OK.

Check the website for more information at www.umc.org

[gkhouston]

9. what a wonderful idea

and something that many of us can afford. Thanks, Rev!

[RevCheesehead]

12. Be sure to bookmark this thread for future reference.

It's also posted in the Liberal Christians group, and linked in the Admin's Hurricane Response thread.

[crispini]

13. Kick

Bookmarked and nominated.

[gkhouston]

14. giving this another kick

as it deserves it!

[CC]

15. Great idea

and stuff people don't think about people needing.

[RevCheesehead]

16. UMCOR works with Church World Service -

an ecumenical group that reaches out to all places in times of disaster. Your efforts will make a world of difference. For more specific information, please check www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor

[RevCheesehead]

17. kick

[Tsiyu]

18. Kick

This is a great idea to distribute badly needed items.

Thanks for sharing, Rev! :hi:

:kick:

[WolverineDG]

19. Kickin' for the good Rev n/t

[Tsiyu]

20. Kickin' again

help keep this kicked folks

[wildflower]

21. Do you know if we can send non-perishable food somewhere? Or

any other kinds of kits?

-wildflower

[RevCheesehead]

26. this is the only resource I know

because I'm a UM pastor, this is how our church is responding. But I'm sure there are other efforts going on, thru Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others.

[seito]

22. Great!

Thanks :)

[lildreamer316]

23. Kick.

[Berry Cool]

24. Sounds like a great idea.

Recommending.

[LeftyMom]

25. You could probably get most of that stuff at the dollar store

to stretch your cash and help more people, too. I'll try to put a few toegther when I get paid on the first.

[RevCheesehead]

41. Another idea from a friend of mine:

Buy in bulk and put items (like sponges) in Ziplock bags.
Trashbags can be purchased in bulk and counted out, too.

She's also going to ask local stores for donations, "can you spare a case of _____ for flood relief?"

[LeftyMom]

27. kick

:kick:

[Sabriel]

28. Kick for the WI Rev n/t

[LeftyMom]

29. cleaning towels?

Does that mean cloth rags or dishtowel-type things or some sort of disposable product I don't know about?

[RevCheesehead]

31. I think it means Handi-Wipes.

At Target, I found Brawny "reuseable disposable wipes". More than a paper towel, but not a cloth or rag.

[LeftyMom]

33. Okay cool.

:)

[Nikki Stone 1]

30. Great idea! I have a friend at a local Methodist church

I'll give her a call. Thanks!

[RevCheesehead]

32. A couple of helpful tips:

Try to stay to the recommended sizes, otherwise they won't all fit in the buckets.

5-gallon buckets can be found at local restaurants (they get their pickles and other stuff in these pails with lids).
I'm also going to contact Menard's and Home Depot to see if they'd be willing to donate, or at least offer a discount, as a goodwill gesture.

The smaller items like Laundry detergent (50 oz) and Household cleaner (Lysol in brown bottle) can be found at grocery stores.

I did have to wince and go to Wal-Mart to find some items, but most of them I found at Target.

make sure the garbage bags are at least 33-gallon size, and are heavy duty. (Contractors bags would work, too, but they're pricy.) Wal-Mart carries these in the hardware dept, back by the garbage cans.

[LeftyMom]

34. Paint stores might have extra buckets

and anybody who does painting probably has extra buckets and lids for the taking. Once it's dried the paint peels right out. :)

[hootinholler]

35. Dude, yer awesome.

If there's room left over I suggest a small toy.

Edit to say nevermind about the toy, but suggest it to the people who spec it to spec one.

-Hoot

[RevCheesehead]

37. Please do not add to the list.

Buckets must be assembled as listed, otherwise they'll be pulled. The primary effort is to get this stuff out ASAP. But it's a wonderful thought, and bless you for that. :)

(and, it's "dudette" :P)

[hootinholler]

43. Dudette, You musta been readin while I was editing.

I shoulda picked up on the KOEB sig.

:dunce:

-Hoot

[goforit]

36. This is wonderful!!!

[Imalittleteapot]

38. Great project. Get the kids involved. Take them to the

store. Have them hunt for the items. Let them help pack the buckets. :applause:

[RevCheesehead]

40. Exactly! Make it a group effort, too....

church or Sunday School classes, Scouting project, 4-H, reading groups, gardening clubs, Community Service projects, clubs and organizations... ANYONE can join in!

I'm writing an article for the local newspaper, and hope to get the entire community involved (we're a city of 3,500).

[joneschick]

39. Thanks Rev!

I just sent it out to my church list and will print the list and post at a very friendly local hardware store.
Hugs,
kj

[LeftyMom]

42. kick

[Gogi]

44. Thanks for the info, Rev!

Kick

[RevCheesehead]

45. kick for the late night crowd.

[RevCheesehead]

46. one more kick

This is a good project, folks - please consider.

[LeftyMom]

47. Consider it done

Can I take the buckets to any UMC when they're ready or should I call first to see who is collecting them?

[RevCheesehead]

48. Better call first.

They might go "what's that?"

If that happens, then follow the directions in the link above. You can even download an address label and mail it it. But I'd really, really push the local church first. Tell them Rev Cheesehead said they need to be doing this. :)

[LeftyMom]

59. I found a local church that's doing the project.

It took a few calls, but maybe the churches that weren't will run with the idea now that they're reminded about it. :)

[RevCheesehead]

62. The Methodist news service has been painfully slow in getting word out.

Those conferences with good missions leadership are already on top of it. Around here, I just got a request from the bishop this afternoon.

But my brother, who is also a pastor, says their conference (Central PA) has coordinated a huge effort: an appeal for money, flood buckets, and health kits - which are easier and cheaper to do.

Link: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.cfm#umcorkits scroll down to "health kits"

[LeftyMom]

63. Those health kits should be easy to do too

Maybe I'll throw a few together. :)

[RevCheesehead]

64. They're a great project for kids!! and only about $12/each.

[Pallas180]

49. Great!, most of this stuff can be gotten at a $ store or big lots

for much less than supermarket.

[RevCheesehead]

50. Yes, but be sure to stay within the size requirements,

otherwise the stuff won't fit in the bucket.

Also, if you buy some stuff in bulk, you can re-package it (put the sponges in a ziplock bag).

[gkhouston]

60. that's what I was going to do

buy in bulk for multiple buckets and use ziplock bags to "repackage" things like sponges.

[renegade000]

51. kick

:kick:

[bleever]

52. Kicked, nominated. Thanks, Cheese dear.

:hi:

[RevCheesehead]

53. Love ya, bleev!

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

54. kick!

:kick:

[titoresque]

55. ALSO..a way to spread the word about this

Stand with fliers in front of your local supermarket and hand out to people who are entering to shop, let them know that you can transport the filled buckets to UMC....or add addresses for the nearest drop offs.

Bush is a bastard! Let's show these son-of-a-bitches that CITIZENS are in the house, and WE WILL GET THE JOB DONE!

Peace

[RevCheesehead]

56. Fantastic idea!

Or stand in front of Target, K-mart, Home Depot - and if you can stand it, Wally World.

Be sure to check with your local UMC first - they might not be prepared to take in the stuff yet... but they should be.

[titoresque]

57. kick and nominated for disaster relief! eom

[LeftyMom]

58. I'm trying to do five buckets

I was already planning a yard sale this weekend, I'm shifting the proceeds to the flood relief buckets instead of my bike upgrade needs. If you're in Sacramento, please drop by and buy something cool or drop off stuff for the buckets. :) PM me for directions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=141&topic_id=14370&mesg_id=14370

PS Sacramentans can drop thier buckets off at St Marks UMC 2391 St Marks Way between 9 am and 4 pm.

[LeftyMom]

61. kick!

Easy way to do some good here, folks. :)

[Sgent]

65. Kick

and thanks United Methodist Church for putting this together.

[RevCheesehead]

66. now that things have calmed down a bit...

maybe some can consider doing this project. :hi:

[LeftyMom]

67. kick to stop arguing and act!

:kick:

[anarchy1999]

68. I'm sorry but I'm just a little confused at this moment in time.

They (the government) wants everyone out of New Orleans now. It may be months to start any real recovery.

I'm just not sure my dollars are best spent on these "buckets". Anyone care to chime in or help me to change my mind.

I know that Dallas is opening up Reunion Arena for 700 or so refugees. I'm seriously considering opening up our small home to a family. I'm meeting with many tomorrow.

I was at the www.bringthemhomenow.org event in Dallas tonight at Northaven Methodist Church.

What good are these "buckets" when everyone is being asked to leave?

What are these refugees supposed to do with all these cleaning supplies?

[LeftyMom]

69. Well, not all the flooding occured in NO

Most of those houses will need to be gutted, if not buldozed or razed. Those that can be saved will probably need extensive professional remediation. You're right that a bucket full of cleaners won't do them much good. People in other communities in Louisiana, Missippi and Alabama will have homes to go back too, and while they'll probably need to pull the lower part of the drywall and take thier carpeting up (both things you can do yourself with gloves on and a few tools,) in many cases the biggest part of repairs after a flood is just removing the mess and sorting through what can be salvaged. The cleaning supplies are needed to clean up the muck and to kill germs, since flooding generally f's up the waste treatment system you have to clean anything touched by flood waters as carefully as you would if it were dropped in the toilet.

If you want to do a project to help the refugees coming to your city (which is a great idea) maybe you could focus on the health kits (they're just basics like toothpaste, a comb, etc) or bring over a case of Huggies and a few cans of formula. Since you've got people coming to your community focusing on thier needs is probably best for now, at least until the transportation issues in the areas effected by Katrina are worked out. I'm trying to do the flood kits because as a Sacramentan I've experienced flooding and know how difficult it is to deal with.

Edit: I seem to have missed that you're thinking of taking in a faimly. I think that's a greater contribution than cash or cleanign supplies or toothpaste. I hope you're able to find someone to benefit from your generosity. :)

[anarchy1999]

71. Thank you for helping me get unconfused. Dallas is gearing up and we

will help in many ways. Mr A finally came out of a slump and we have some extra dollars. :woohoo:

I'll be all over this tomorrow.

We still all need to keep our focus on bringing our troops home. I believe this disaster might bring the message home. I hope so.

You all we are about to be taxed as never before. Scale down on all your expenditures immediately. Conserve as you never have before. This is the "STORM". It is here.

I love you all so much aand thank you for being here.

go to www.bringthemhomenow.org

and also, please don't let the Crawford Peace House ever fall off the map again. We all worked so hard and people from all over the world came, they helped, they volunteered and they reported from on the ground. Is was an amazingly beautiful month and out of this month we will make a difference helping New Orleans and all the surrounding areas recover and WE WILL HOLD THIS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE!

Take that KLIF HATE/TALK RADIO IN DALLAS, Free Republic, Protest Warriors along with the evangelists and all our oh so friendly White Supremacists and Right Wing Christian, Born Again, Rapture Ready, FUNDAMENTALISTS. Step up to the plate now or step on out! Is there not a commandment that reads, "Though shalt not kill"?

I still love you all as you slowly, ever so slowly wake up and become Texans. There are lots of us already here, come join in with us.

Let's take back the state, better yet, let us all stand up and take back our country.

www.grannyd.com

www.crawfordpeacehouse.org

www.bringthemhomenow.org

www.vfp.org

www.ivaw.org

Peace,
anarchy1999

[LeftyMom]

72. No problem

I'm not an expert on many things, but living in a city where flood isn't a disaster but an expected (if somewhat irregular, thanks to levees and whatnot) seasonal occurance, I forget that people in other areas don't know about this stuff.

We've got to be careful in relating the lack of national guard assistance to the war, we see the connection right away but to others it may look like crass political opportunism (and certainly the right wing and thier media shills will try to paint it that way if the meme starts to stick) so we need to raise the point gently and tastefully, IMO.

[anarchy1999]

73. Agreed absoulutely 1000 percent and then some.

But then I also go with Distressed American and his POV. We are "radical leftists". To hell with being nice. Are they? You know the ones, the radical conservative, Bible thumping, faith based, Rapture Ready evangelical, Christians.

I'm so proud to be in Dallas, surrounded by so many activists that have been on the streets for oh so long. I stay in awe on a daily basis.

Night.
anarchy1999

[xmas74]

70. We talked about them tonight at choir practice.

We are also planning on fundraising and a few talked about volunteering in the ravaged areas.

[RevCheesehead]

74. Another friendly reminder that yes, YOU can help!!

*kick*