United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend loving care to people within the United States. When disaster strikes, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR provides training, financial assistance, expertise, community collaboration to churches and partners making them more resilient to disasters.

United in Support: How You Can Help After Hurricane Helene

Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Western North Carolina and across the Southeast in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastating flooding and severe weather.

NC Conference Disaster Ministries has been in touch with the Western NC Conference of The United Methodist Church to discuss how we can assist with their disaster relief efforts. They are currently evaluating the storm damage and will let us know when they need equipment and Early Response Teams.

We will be gathering UMCOR Cleaning Kits, also known as flood buckets, to send to Western North Carolina. The Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiative (MERCI) will be hosting an UMCOR Kit packing event on Tuesday, October 1 and Saturday, October 5, from 9 am - 1 pm, to assemble and inspect kits. The most needed items for the kits are mesh reusable wipes. If you would like to help build kits at MERCI, please contact Rev. Bill Haddock at revbillh@nccumc.org.

If your church would like to build kits, please deliver the cleaning kits to MERCI in Goldsboro or one of our collection centers. We are contacting previous collection centers and will update our website with more information. If your church is interested in serving as a collection center, please fill out our form.

“The hurricane, tornadoes, and floods have ravaged North Carolina. Thank you for supporting neighbor to neighbor, packing cleaning kits, and offering financial gifts for unfolding needs,” said Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton. “Our Western NC Conference family’s flooding is treacherous. Stay alert to our communications for opportunities to respond. We trust God is near as we enter into the suffering of our neighbors.”

As we wait to learn more about the needs in Western North Carolina and beyond, here are a few ways you can help support disaster relief efforts:

Give

If you would like to share your gifts with those in need, donations can be made to the following places: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/br/HurricaneReliefDonations2018

Cleaning Kits

Assembly Instructions

Cleaning Kit Materials

• One five-gallon round bucket with re-sealable lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d)
• No screw lids
• May be used, but must be free from all residual product
• Advertisements on the outside acceptable
• One 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
• One 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner
• No spray cleaners
• No bleach
• One 16-34 oz. bottle dish soap
• One 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener (liquid, not gel)
• One 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent (pack of 10-20 wipes also acceptable)
• Pump spray bottles must have protective covers
• One scrub brush
• With or without handle
• 18 re-useable cleaning wipes
• No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels
• No single-use wipes
• Remove from packaging
• Five scouring pads
• No stainless-steel pads with soap in them
• Remove from packaging
• 36-50 clothespins
• One 50-100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)
• 24 roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45-gallon sizes)
• Remove from packaging
• Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness)
• No surgical masks
• Two pairs kitchen gloves
• Durable for multiple uses
• Remove from packaging
• One pair work gloves
• Cotton with leather palm or all leather

Assembly Directions

• Place all liquid items in the bucket first.
• Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items.
• Scouring pads and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all of the items in the bucket.
• Clothes pins may also be placed in a small re-sealable bag.
• Secure the lid on the filled bucket.

Since 1985, Habitat of Wake has built more than 850 safe, affordable energy-efficient homes in parts of Wake and Johnston counties. Habitat of Wake has served over 2,000 families with new construction, home preservation and global building. Habitat Wake is able to build, preserve and advocate because of their partnerships with faith groups, corporations, other non-profits,