Recent disasters have led UMCOR to send out a national request for cleaning kits (flood buckets), and the Michigan Conference is responding by coordinating a rally from September 12 through October 24.

DAN O’MALLEY
Conference Disaster Response Coordinator

The Michigan Conference Disaster Response is coordinating a cleaning kit rally requested by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) from September 12 through October 24. The six collection points in Michigan are Ishpeming: Wesley UMC, Kalkaska UMC, Clio: Bethany UMC, Cornerstone Church in Grand Rapids, Plymouth: First UMC, and Resurrection UMC. Addresses and drop-off details for each site are found below.

Please note that there is an important change in how cleaning kits will be collected. The Midwest Distribution Center (MMDC) in Pawnee, IL, where the kits will be taken once they leave Michigan, has requested that cleaning kit materials—empty buckets and lids—be separate from the contents. MMDC must verify the contents before they can be stored for distribution. Having the contents separate makes the verification fast without having to unpack the buckets. The updated packing list for the kits is found below.

MMDC requires packing the cleaning kit contents in a small cardboard box to make transport easier. A good example is this 16 x 12 x 12 box from Uline: S-4163. As of this date, a bundle of 25 boxes sells for $39.50 ($1.58/each).

MMDC is one of eight cooperating depots in the UMCOR Supply Network. Midwest Mission distributes UMCOR supplies in response to disasters within the United States. Recent disasters such as the historic flooding in eastern Kentucky have precipitated this rally.

Questions about this rally should be directed to Dan O’Malley, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (CDRC), at [email protected] or 616-915-6301.

Collection Points

Ishpeming: Wesley UMC (Northern Skies District)
801 Hemlock St.
Ishpeming, MI 49866
Drop-off contact: Pastor Bob Freysinger, 906-486-4681 or [email protected]

Kalkaska UMC (Northern Waters District)
2525 Beebe Rd.
Kalkaska, MI 49646
Drop-off contact: Dave Stockford, 231-384-0504

Clio: Bethany UMC (East Winds District)
353 E. Vienna Rd.
Clio, MI 48420
Drop-off contact: Pastor Kayla Roosa, 810-686-5151
Drop-off times at the pole barn:
September 20 and 27: 10 am to 12 pm
September 22 and 29: 1 to 3 pm

Grand Rapids: Cornerstone UMC (Midwest District)
1675 84th St. SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
Drop-off location: Small trailer in the east parking lot, daily
Drop-off contacts: Dan O’Malley, CDRC, 616-915-6301 or Tracy Bowers, Director of Outreach, 616-698-3170

Plymouth: First UMC (Heritage District)
45201 N. Territorial Rd.
Plymouth, MI 48170
Drop-off contact: Bob Ankrapp, DDRC, 734-751-5925

Resurrection UMC (Greater Detroit District)
8150 Schaefer Hwy.
Detroit, MI 48228
Drop-off contact: Pastor Carolyn Jones, 313-573-0043
Drop-off times: 11 am to 3 pm, September 15 through October 24

Cleaning Kits—UMCOR Specifications

published by Midwest Mission Distribution Center, August 31, 2022

NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Keep bucket separate from contents.

• • One – five-gallon round bucket with resealable lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d)
    • Must be free of all residual product
    • No screw lids
    • Advertisements on the outside are acceptable

Place the following items in a cardboard box. Example: 16 x 12 x 12 box from Uline, S-4163.

• • One – Liquid laundry detergent, 32-64 oz. bottle
  • One – Liquid concentrate household cleaner, 16-40 oz. bottle
    • No spray cleaners
  • One – Liquid dish soap, 16-34 oz. bottle
  • One – Insect repellent, 6-14 oz. pump spray (pack of 10-20 wipes is also acceptable)
    • pump-spray bottles must have protective covers
  • One – Air freshener, 4-8oz. pump spray
  • One – Scrub brush with or without handle
  • 18 – Reusable cleaning wipes
    • No terrycloth, microfiber, or paper towels
    • Remove from packaging
  • 5 – Scouring pads
    • No stainless steel with soap in them
    • Remove from packaging
  • 36-50 – Clothespins
  • One – Clothesline, 50-100ft (cotton or plastic)
  • One – 24-count roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon sizes)
  • 5 – N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm. thickness)
  • Two pairs of kitchen gloves, durable for multiple uses
  • One pair of work gloves, cotton with leather palm or all leather

Last Updated on October 3, 2022