Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Area Lutheran Churches Sponsor a “Give Away Day.”

New plumbing fixture and clean-up supplies for flood recovery efforts at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were brought by Orphan Grain Train in September 2008. The supplies were delivered to the gymnasium parking lot at Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

This is the Orphan Grain Train 48-foot storage container filled with flood recovery supplies that were distributed on Saturday, September 27, at Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The semi load of donations were collected by LCMS World Relief and Orphan Grain Train. The 48-foot storage unit wasl kept at Trinity until all the supplies were distributed.

Orphan Grain Train volunteer John Fehrs brings another pallet load of plumbing supplies for the shipment to Cedar Rapids.

Iowa West Division Response to Eastern Iowa Floods

Another Truck and Trailer Load Delivered

Orphan Grain Train’s Iowa West Regional Division took a truck and trailer load of cleaning supplies to Eastern Iowa on August 23, 2008.

Elroy and Barb Koch delivered donated scrub buckets, cleaning supplies, mops and brooms to the Iowa Recovery Warehouse at Ankeny, Iowa.

Project Scrub Bucket

In response to recent flooding across multiple states in the Midwest, Orphan Grain Train announced “Project Scrub Bucket” to assemble 5-gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies for mucking out flood-soaked homes.

Each scrub bucket holds $36 worth of cleaning supplies (including broom and mop) and cash donations of all sizes are requested to help fill the buckets.

Donations may be made through our secure online giving page here, by check payable to “Orphan Grain Train Flood and Storm Relief” PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466, at checkout in participating Affiliated Foods stores.

Each scrub bucket includes:

  • CometTM or other cleansing powder
  • Top JobTM or other liquid cleaner
  • Bleach (1-gal. size)
  • WindexTM or other glass cleaner
  • Scrub brush
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sponge(s)
  • Roll of paper towels
  • Broom and/or mop

Project Scrub Bucket was begun by Orphan Grain Train’s Indiana Division in response to the needs of homeowners returning after Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of buckets were distributed throughout the hurricane-affected areas in 2006. The Indiana Division distributed several hundred more in Ohio after the floods of 2007.

Click here to watch As the Waters Increased, a video documenting past Orphan Grain Train’s flood recovery efforts in North Dakota, as well as videos of other OGT Disaster Relief efforts, including responses to Hurricane Katrina and the 1999 Oklahoma tornadoes.

Responding to Floods Since the 1993 Des Moines, Iowa Flood

The Midwest was also plagued with major floods in 1997.

Various Orphan Grain Train regional satellite divisions helped with the long-term clean up and their volunteers came to North Dakota and Minnesota to help rebuild areas along the Red River Valley after the Grand Forks flood of 1997.

Click here to watch As the Waters Increased, a video documenting Orphan Grain Train’s flood recovery efforts.

THANK YOU from Florence, South Dakota

Dear Orphan Grain Train,

I wish that we had thought to videotape the whole experience because it was incredible to witness the excitement, cooperation, hard work and appreciation which took place when your huge shipment came to town. There was such thoughtfulness and respect shown for everyone who participated and also for our church building. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about what could have happened!

This community has been declared a national disaster area for about five years due to flooding. You not only met some of our needs by sending food, but with your truck also came a big message of love, friendship, support and hope.

God bless you! We pray for your ministry.
The Food Chain