Here are special instructions for those in Michigan providing relief supplies for Harvey relief.

Brad Walton, the Warehouse Manager at UMCOR’s Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) in Chatham, Illinois has informed our Michigan Area Disaster Coordinators that Cleaning Buckets and Hygiene Kits are what are most needed to assist relief efforts in Texas. UMCOR does NOT want school kits at this time.

Specific instruction is to NOT ASSEMBLE the supplies. The assembly of buckets and kits will be done at MMDC.

Here’s what to do:

• Cleaning Buckets:  Buy/collect the items on the list for Cleaning Buckets. Click here for that supply list. Put the supplies in boxes, like with like (that is, a box with bottles of insect repellant, another box with clotheslines, etc). Write a check to MMDC for $1.50 x estimated number of buckets that will be filled by your donated supplies. Memo line should read “kits.” Mail or include that check in one of the boxes. Label the box and enclose a packing list (see below).
• Hygiene Kits: Buy/collect the supplies for the kits. Click here for that supply list. Put the supplies in a box, like with like (that is, a box with hand towels, another box with toothbrushes, etc.) Write a check to MMDC for $1.00 x estimate number of kits that will be assembled by your donated supplies. Memo line should read “kits.” Mail or include the check in one of the boxes. Label the box and enclose a packing list (see below).
• These checks cover the cost of shipping the supplies from Chatham, Illinois to the disaster scene. Mailing address for Midwest Mission Distribution Center is PO Box 56, Chatham, IL 62629. Do not send cash.
• Download the MMDC Shipping Label and Packing List that must accompany each box you send. And keep a copy for your own records.

Nine Collection Sites have been established around Michigan. Click here for the list of campgrounds and churches opening their facilities to disaster relief collection. Churches are encouraged to deliver their supplies to a Michigan Collection Site rather than traveling to MMDC in Chatham or to the disaster areas. This allows for effective coordination of volunteers and shipments at MMDC.

Why are churches asked to not assemble the buckets and kits? Because standard operating procedure is that each bucket or kit that arrives at MMDC is opened and inspected to assure that the appropriate materials are inside. Because of the urgent need to respond to the emergencies, sending materials unassembled eliminates the need for inspection and expedites delivery to those in need. Churches are encouraged to host “Box Stuffing” events, simply do not assemble buckets or kits.

Catherine Earl, UMCOR’s Director of U.S. Disaster Response and Partner Relations, says: “UMCOR understands that this is a long-term event and we will be there alongside the conferences through the recovery process. Volunteers and conference staff in Texas and Louisiana coordinate, anticipate, and plan for events such as this. As it unfolds, they stage their relief supplies, anticipate response needs, and secure resources so that they can respond more quickly. It is those people of the conferences who are UMCOR’s feet on the ground doing the response work. Pray for the first responders, those who are helping and, of course, for all of those who are in harm’s way.”

The Michigan Area’s Disaster Coordinators, Dan O’Malley (West Michigan) and Bob Miller (Detroit), join Catherine Earl in thanking the state’s congregations for pitching in to meet the needs of their neighbors to the south.

Last Updated on September 7, 2017