As floodwaters gradually recede in New England, the level of Emergency Clean-up Bucket distribution by UCC ministry partner Church World Service (CWS) continues to rise.

More than 2,500 clean-up kits have gone out to flood victims via seven distribution centers, according to Tim Shenk, CWS communications officer.

CWS – the primary agency through which the UCC gives support for relief and recovery efforts – has made appeals to congregations to donate 10,000 buckets.

In addition to the buckets, Shenk said CWS has sent 4,050 hygiene kits, 925 school kits, 700 baby kits and 700 blankets to the Vermont Food Bank Distribution Center in Brattleboro, Vt.; Thatcher Brook School in Waterbury, Vt.; the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester, N.H.; First Presbyterian of Owego, N.Y.; the Salvation Army of Greenville, N.C.; the Community Food Bank of Hillside, N.J.; and the Chesapeake Region American Red Cross in Baltimore. Information on various CWS kit collection programs is available at < churchworldservice.org/kits>.

“There is every evidence that a lot of people have been working hard to get supplies to people in need,” said Shenk, who has traveled to hard-hit Brattleboro to help distribute supplies. “It’s good to be able to see that this is being done.”

About 150 homes in Brattleboro were damaged by flooding, according to Melinda Bussino, executive director of the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center. Residents of a senior-citizen home and people living in several mobile-home parks are among those affected by the storms. Several homeless people living under a bridge lost all of their belongings.

The Rev. Bert Marshall, CWS regional director for New England, said many of the people in communities receiving CWS relief supplies have been among the most generous donors of Emergency Clean-up Buckets and other supplies in the past.

“This is a perfect example of how important the CWS kits program really is,” said Marshall. “I encourage everyone to continue making CWS kits throughout the year. It's crucial that our warehouse supplies be continually restocked for events just like Hurricane Irene.”

In addition to the emergency call for buckets, CWS aims to raise $210,000 in donations to help meet emergency and long-term disaster relief needs arising from the storm.

Congregations, organizations and individuals wishing to donate clean-up buckets are invited to find more information at <churchworldservice.org/buckets >.

Donations may be made to participating UCC Conference Disaster Ministries, or online at <churchworldservice.org >; via phone at 800-297-1516; or by mail to Church World Service, 28606 Phillips Street, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

A cooperative humanitarian ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations, CWS provides sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief and refugee assistance in more than 80 countries. It is part of the ecumenical family of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.