Late last summer, we suggested that congregations consider filling Children’s Comfort Kits and/or Clean Up Kits (aka flood buckets) as a God’s Work Our Hands Day project.   Helene impacted the Carolinas just weeks later and large quantities of these kits – plus personal care kits, quilts, and many other items – began arriving at the NC Synod office and congregations that had agreed to serve as collection points. 

We continue to be grateful for that outpouring of care for others in need!  We delivered kits to congregations and partners in western NC, SC, and TN for areas affected by Helene and other flooding that followed later in the fall.

As flooding continues to occur in locations across the Carolinas from Tropical Storm Chantal and other storms and we are just entering peak hurricane season, we see a continuing need for clean up kits and would like to encourage congregations to assemble more.   The instructions are available here.  We still have several hundred children’s comfort kits so we do NOT need more of those at this time.

Please remember to follow the packing list so that all the items fit inside the bucket with the lid closed.

Because our storage space is limited, it would be helpful if you can store the buckets until they are needed.  If you assemble kits that you can store, please contact Emily so we will have an inventory of available kits.  If you do not have storage space, please contact Ruth Ann so we can work together on transportation and storage arrangements.

Here are some suggestions if you are looking for other ways to support ongoing – and future – recovery efforts:

We continue to accept small quantities of quilts that will be used in Welcome Kits as home repairs are completed and families are welcomed back into their homes.  Please contact Amy to make arrangements.

While we are not requesting other items to help fill those kits, you can help by providing gift cards for Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, or Ingle’s.  (We do not need additional Food Lion cards at this time.) Gift cards are very helpful because they support the local economy and are easily transported and stored.  These cards can be used to purchase supplies, tools, building materials, and items to fill the welcome kits.  Ingle’s cards can be placed in the welcome baskets or given to families in need.    

Of course, we also welcome financial contributions to LDR Carolinas to support our ongoing ministry of disaster preparedness and recovery or to Bridging Together to help replace private roads and bridges in western NC to help get people home.  Checks should be mailed to either LDR Carolinas or Bridging Together, c/o NC Synod, 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury NC 28144.