Communities throughout the Midwest have begun the task of clean up following the recent flooding. Elkhartbased international relief organization Church World Service is urging congregations, groups, and individuals to help flooded out families by assembling emergency clean-up buckets.

These buckets include:

•1 five-gallon bucket with resealable lid

•5 scouring pads •7 sponges, assorted sizes

•1 scrub brush

•18 clean towels (reusable, like Easy Wipes®)

•1 50-78 oz. box dry laundry detergent

•1 12 oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol®)

•1 25 oz. Bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn®)

•50 clothespins

•2 50 ft. or one 100 ft. clothesline

•5 dust masks

•2 pairs latex gloves (like Playtex®)

•1 pair work gloves

•24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon)

•1 6-14 oz. bottle of insect repellent (drops or lotion, not aerosol)

All liquids should be purchased in plastic bottles, and should remain in those unopened bottles. Items should be packed securely into the plastic bucket to avoid damage during shipment, and the lid sealed with packing tape.

This list can also be found online at www.churchworldservice. org/kits/cleanupkits. html or a flyer requested from the regional Church World Service office in Indianapolis at 317-923-2938 or toll free at 888-297-2767.

Through July 31, buckets can be boxed and shipped prepaid to Church World Service, 28606 Phillips St., Elkhart IN 46514. Kits received at this temporary receiving center will be used primarily to aid flood victims in Indiana.

A donation of $3 per kit is requested to help cover the cost of handling the kits. This "gift wrap" should be mailed to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart IN 46515. Please do not include this gift in the packed bucket.

The completed clean-up buckets are valued at $50. Church World Service welcomes contributions in addition to or in lieu of the buckets. Contributions may be made by phone (800-297- 1516 or 574-264-3102) or online at www.churchworldservice. org, or by mail to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart IN 46515.

More than 140 of these buckets have already been shipped this month to communities in Indiana. Last year over 1,200 buckets were used in disasters throughout the United States.