Disaster Response

We recommend individuals and congregations develop their own preparedness plans.

Click here to see Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guidebook.

Check out our Congregation Preparation Form.

CLEAN UP KITS

Thank you for your interest in assembling clean up kits! These are extremely helpful for flooding and hurricane events.

Once you have assembled your kits, please deliver them to one of several drop off locations in eastern PA that UCC Disaster Ministries offers. Those locations are listed below.

The kits will be used where they are needed. Some may be sent to Church World Service for distribution anywhere in the world they are needed, and many will be used locally.

Clean Up Kit Contents:

• One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid (If reused, please scrub clean. Do not use a bucket that has held chemicals of any kind. No screw lid. Advertisement on the outside acceptable.)
• NEW– One 4-8oz. pump spray air freshener
• Five scouring pads (No stainless steel or pads with soap in them. Remove from packaging.)
• Seven sponges, including one large
• One scrub brush (With or without handle.)
• 18 reusable, lightweight multipurpose dry cleaning towels (No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels. Remove from packaging.)
• One 32-64oz. or two 25oz. bottle(s) of liquid laundry detergent
• One 16-34oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap
• One 12-40oz. bottle of liquid concentrate household cleaner that can be mixed with water (No spray bottles.)
• One package of 36-50 clothespins
• One 50-100ft. clothesline (Cotton or plastic line.)
• Five dust masks (N95 particulate respirator dust masks preferred; No surgical masks.)
• Two pairs of heavy-duty, waterproof dishwashing gloves (Latex-free, non-surgical. Durable for multiple-use. Remove from packaging.)
• One pair of work gloves (Cotton with leather palm or all leather.)
• 20-28 heavy duty or contractor type 30-45 gallon trash bags on a roll (Remove from packaging.)
• One 6-9oz. bottle of non-aerosol insect repellent (Pump spay bottles must have protective covers. Packs of 10-20 insect repellent wipes also acceptable.)

BERKS COUNTY

1. Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Ave, Reading (Mt. Penn), PA 19606. Contact:   Annette Black, Church Secretary  – 610-779-4030 – email: ablack@trinitymtpenn.org.  Best times to contact: Mon-Fri 8AM-3PM (2:30 on Fri).  Please bring buckets to the second door on 25^th
2. First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, 76 South Third Street, Hamburg, PA  19526. 610-562-2593 (Church Office — Karen is the Secretary).  Contact Person:  Church office or Daryl Hamm (Pastor)  484-793-5704 (cell) or Lari Leiby 610-207-7939 (cell).  Please call to arrange a drop off time.  The office is not always staffed.
3. Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ, 6573 Old Route 22, Bernville, PA 19506. Contact: Pastor Jason Stump – 610-488-7361 email: pastorstump@gmail.com or lshupp@zionbluemountainucc.org.

 

BUCKS COUNTY

1. Stephens UCC, 110 N 6th St, Perkasie, PA    Phone:  215-257-6460.   Email:  office@thessperkasie.org.  Contact persons:  Patricia Kimble, Office Administrator, or Sparkie Heckler, Mission Chair, phone 215-257-2350. Email:  hecklerl@verizon.net.
2. Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Road (Route 113), Perkasie, PA   Pastor Dorothy Shelly  215-527-2384 c;  215-795-2668 church (open Wed/Fri 9:30 AM-12:30 PM)
3. Luke’s UCC, 212 Durham Rd, Ottsville, PA 18942. Contact the Church Office: 610-847-2633.  Drop Off: Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Please call before coming to assure that someone will be at the church.

CARBON COUNTY

Penn Northeast Conference Office, 431 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, PA 18071.  Contact:  Barbara Jennings  Phone: (610) 826-3113.  Email:  barbaraj@pnec.org.

CHESTER COUNTY

Brownbacks UCC, 640 Ridge Road, Spring City, Pa 19475.  Contact:  Administrator – Kaitlin Iezzi; brownbacksucc@comcast.net.  Best times to deliver:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

LEHIGH COUNTY

UCC Greenawalds, 2325 W Albright Ave Allentown, PA 18104.  Wed or Thurs 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The church entrance is on Orchard Ave at side of the church.  Saturday delivery by appointment.  Contact:  Grant Field  – 610-217-1475.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1. James United Church of Christ, 321 S. Limerick Road, Limerick, PA 19468. Contact the Church office at 610-489-0990 Email: office@stjames-ucc.org or jgfriemann@aol.com.
2. Zwingli United Church of Christ, 350 Wile Ave., Souderton, PA 18964. Buckets will be taken in the basement door to the right of the main church entrance in the rear parking lot.  Contact information:  Church Office – 215-723-1186; office@zwingli.org.  Call or e-mail prior to drop off to ensure the office is open.  Drop off preferred between 9:00 am & 3:00 pm Monday-Friday except between 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm.

PHILADELPHIA

Salt and Light Community Church, 5736 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Contact the church office at 215-883-0282 Email: admin@snlphilly.com.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

First UCC, 110 Route 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
Contact:  Rev. Ms. Shawn D. Van Dyke.  Phone:  (570) 385-2049  Email:  firstuccschuylkillhaven@verizon.net.  Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-1 PM

Lutheran Disaster Response–Eastern PA (LDR-EPA) develops and maintains a database of potential volunteers, congregations, agencies and resources, which is made available for response to disasters in our region and possibly other parts of the country.

Click here for volunteer opportunities.

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Volunteer Videos

 

Because of the risks associated with COVID-19, we do not recommend overnight travel for disaster response volunteering. Please check our COVID pull down tab for information on service opportunities during the pandemic

Disclaimer

Lutheran Congregational Services provides this information as a resource for those wishing to volunteer for disaster response.  It is our hope that this information results in meaningful service opportunities.  Please be aware these listings are not volunteer opportunities with Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern Pa.  Neither Lutheran Congregational Services nor Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern Pa assumes liability for your participation in any of these opportunities.

During times of major weather events, be it extreme heat, powerful storms, or severe winter weather, there is always the likelihood of power outages caused by downed tree limbs or power lines.

In the event of a power outage, make sure you:

• Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.

For more tips visit www.ready.gov/power-outages

INFORMATION FROM UNITED WAY BUCKS COUNTY ON MATERIAL

United Way Bucks FAQs for weather-impacted families: www.uwbucks.org/faqs-for-weather-impacted-residents/

Other donations: Year-round, we serve people who are struggling at our HELP Center, 194 Commerce Circle, Bristol, PA 19007. We are serving more people than ever due to the floods and tornado.

• We only accept donations of brand new items. The items we need most right now are sheet sets and towel sets, but we accept many items, from food and clothes to cleaning supplies and pots and pans. Sheets and towel sets are also the items we need most year-round.
• We continue to work with small groups of volunteers to unpack pallets of goods, sort, and shelve items. We only work with adult volunteers (it is not safe for kids). Volunteers need to be able to bend, lift, twist, etc., but this is a great way for faith-based groups to get involved.
• Any questions re donating to — or volunteering at — our HELP Center should go to PJ O’Brien at patricko@uwbucks.org or (215) 867-9013.

CLEAN OUT BUCKET CONTENTS LIST AND DROP OFF LOCATION (UCC AND CHURCH WORLD SERVICE)

The following United Church of Christ congregations have offered to be drop-off locations for the kits you assemble. Please contact the drop off site before you plan delivering buckets. Over 300 cleanout kits were distributed in response to local flooding. These buckets came from donations from congregations across Pennsylvania, thank you! Supplies now need to be replenished. Download list or continue scrolling

BERKS COUNTY

1. Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Ave, Reading (Mt. Penn), PA 19606. Contact:   Annette Black, Church Secretary – 610-779-4030 – email: ablack@trinitymtpenn.org.  Best times to contact: Mon-Fri 8AM-3PM (2:30 on Fri).  Please bring buckets to the second door on 25^th
2. First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, 76 South Third Street, Hamburg, PA  19526. 610-562-2593 (Church Office — Karen is the Secretary).  Contact Person:  Church office or Daryl Hamm (Pastor) 484-793-5704 (cell) or Lari Leiby 610-207-7939 (cell).  Please call to arrange a drop off time.  The office is not always staffed.
3. Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ, 6573 Old Route 22, Bernville, PA 19506. Contact: Pastor Jason Stump – 610-488-7361 email: pastorstump@gmail.com or lshupp@zionbluemountainucc.org.

BUCKS COUNTY

1. Stephens UCC, 110 N 6th St, Perkasie, PA 18944 Phone:  215-257-6460.   Email:  office@thessperkasie.org.  Contact persons:  Patricia Kimble, Office Administrator, or Sparkie Heckler, Mission Chair, phone 215-257-2350. Email:  hecklerl@verizon.net.
2. Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Road (Route 113), Perkasie, PA 18944. Pastor Dorothy Shelly  215-527-2384 c;  215-795-2668 church (open Wed/Fri 9:30 AM-12:30 PM)
3. Luke’s UCC, 212 Durham Rd, Ottsville, PA 18942. Contact the Church Office: 610-847-2633.  Drop Off: Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Please call before coming to assure that someone will be at the church.

CARBON COUNTY

Penn Northeast Conference Office, 431 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, PA 18071.  Contact:  Barbara Jennings, Phone: (610) 826-3113.  Email:  barbaraj@pnec.org.

CHESTER COUNTY

Brownbacks UCC, 640 Ridge Road, Spring City, Pa 19475.  Contact:  Administrator – Kaitlin Iezzi; or Pastor – Mark Stryjak.  610-495-6788; brownbacksucc@comcast.net.  Best times to deliver:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

LEHIGH COUNTY

UCC Greenawalds, 2325 W Albright Ave Allentown, PA 18104.  Wed or Thurs 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The church entrance is on Orchard Ave at side of the church.  Saturday delivery by appointment.  Contact:  Grant Field – 610-217-1475.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Zwingli United Church of Christ, 350 Wile Ave., Souderton, PA 18964.  Buckets will be taken in the basement door to the right of the main church entrance in the rear parking lot.  Contact information:  Church Office – 215-723-1186; office@zwingli.org.  Call or e-mail prior to drop off to ensure the office is open.  Drop off preferred between 9:00 am & 3:00 pm Monday-Friday except between 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm.

PHILADELPHIA

St. Luke’s UCC, 10151 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA  19116.  Contact:  Rev. Terri McNamara   215- 637-8866, Email: pastorterrimcnamara@gmail.com .  Drop off days:  Most Wednesdays, third and fourth Saturday mornings of the month, any Sundays after church.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

First UCC, 110 Route 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.  Contact:  Rev. Ms. Shawn D. Van Dyke.  Phone:  (570) 385-2049  Email:  firstuccschuylkillhaven@verizon.net.  Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-1 PM

Clean up Kit Contents List from Church World Service

Here’s what you’ll need:

• One five-gallon bucket with resealable lid (If bucket has been used, clean well but do not use if it has held chemicals of any kind.)
• Four scouring pads
• Seven sponges, including one large
• One scrub brush
• Eighteen reusable, lightweight dry cleaning towels (e.g. Handi wipes)
• One 50 oz. or two 25 oz. bottle(s) of liquid laundry detergent
• One 16-28 oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap
• One 12-16 oz. bottle of household cleaner that can be mixed with water (no spray bottles)
• One package of 48-50 clothespins
• Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
• Five dust masks
• Two pairs heavy-duty, waterproof dishwashing gloves (latex-free, non-surgical)
• One pair work gloves, cotton with leather palm or all leather
• 24-28 heavy duty or contractor type 30-45 gallon trash bags on a roll and removed from carton
• One 6-9 oz. bottle of non-aerosol insect repellent

All cleaning items must be new – all liquid items must be capped and securely tightened. Place all items into the bucket, making sure they are packed securely to avoid damage during shipment. Snap the lid on tight and seal with packing tape.

_________________________________________________________For more information contact

Karl Jones, UCC Disaster Ministries, 570-617-4018, kjones275@comcast.net and Julia Menzo, Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA, JMenzo@libertylutheran.org.

Hurricane Ida impacted thousands of families in vulnerable communities. Those most impacted are in the following communities: Northampton, Coatesville, Downingtown, Bridgeport, Collegeville, Norristown, Perkasie, Bensalem, Upper Dublin, Ambler, Horsham, Manayunk, Spinnerstown, Schwenksville/Skippack, and Philadelphia. Some families also indicated damage in Reading, Hamburg, Allentown and in the Poconos.

What you can do

Pray and be present

Offering a space for those impacted to pray, and for all impacted by Ida and the events of the past year, is so critical to all of our well beings right now. The value of offering prayers and holding worship and continuing to be a steadfast presence in your community cannot be overstated.

Provide outreach in communities hardest hit by sharing on social media, or taking flyers into the community, or staffing outreach centers

Share broadly the opportunity for survivors to register for Federal disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov

Ida survivors who need help with rebuilding should call 844-965-1386!!!

Volunteer

We will need volunteers to help staff resource centers and outreach in the coming weeks. We will also need volunteers to help with mucking and gutting. Please email me at jmenzo@libertylutheran.org if you are interested in learning more.

Reach out to housing agencies and other helping organizations in impacted communities and ask what they need. Common items are socks and underwear, hygiene kits, and gift cards for local restaurants and convenience stores like Wawa.

Make cleanout kits and share them with local helping agencies.

Donate

Lutheran Congregational Services’ Lutheran Disaster Response ministry is currently responding to recent disasters all across eastern Pennsylvania.

Click here to donate now, or mail checks to Lutheran Disaster Response–Eastern PA at:

Lutheran Congregational Services

7002 Butler Pike

Ambler, PA 19002

For more information, please contact:

Julia Menzo, Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA, JMenzo@libertylutheran.org

Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA will continue to provide leadership and coordination for regional and local long term recovery to Hurricane Ida. We bring together partners from federal agencies to local municipalities and helping organizations that serve survivors in order to help families navigate their own recovery that often includes navigating FEMA applications, insurance claims, permitting process, temporary sheltering, and long term housing solutions. We strive to both help the individual survivor family and at the same time, share best practices to empower communities to create a long term recovery process that leverages resources to make that family recovery process possible.

We strive to find ways to engage congregations and individuals with us all along the way.

Lutheran Disaster Response – Eastern PA is a leader in Pennsylvania. We’re there for survivors from beginning and throughout the lengthy and tedious disaster recovery process.

Disasters are traumatic on all. Thank you for being there for those who are grappling with the aftermath of this destructive storm. You are a blessing to each and every one of them.