Our community has been affected by flash flooding this week; many families in the Wildcat Creek area have been displaced and most of their belongings have been lost to water damage. There are, and will continue to be, many opportunities to serve and love the families affected.

What can I do now?

Right now there is a huge need for basic necessity/hygiene items. There is a great community resource, the USD 383 FIT Closet, that helps families provide for their children. They even made it easy with an Amazon Wish List that you can purchase from right from your home!

Find the USD 383 FIT Closet Amazon Wish List right here. 

If you want to shop on your own here's the FIT Closet list:

• Boy’s socks - all sizes
• Boy’s undies - all sizes, especially 4/5 & 10/12
• Men’s undies - M, L, XL, 2XL
• Men's socks - all sizes
• Women’s socks - sizes 8-12 & 9-11
• Women’s undies - sizes 5, 6, & 7
• Boys' pants (shorts, jeans, athletic pants) - sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16
• Men's pants (shorts, jeans, athletic pants) - all sizes 
• Girls' Tops & Bottoms - sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 / 6x
• Junior girls pants (shorts, jeans, athletic pants) - sizes 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9
• Women's pants (shorts, jeans, athletic pants) - sizes 6 & 8
• Diapers size 5, 6   
• Laundry soap
• Dish soap
• All-Purpose Cleaner
• Hygiene Items
• Deodorant
• Toilet Paper
• Pads and tampons 
• Towels
• Blankets/Bedding

REMEMBER - only new/in package socks and underwear, please!  If you're bringing in clothing donations, please ensure they're clean and in good condition.  

They now have an alternate donation drop off location. As of last week, Matt Davis (USD 383 Maintenance Director) offered the Maintenance Shop as an alternate FIT Closet donation location. They are located at 2031 Casement Road and are open 7am to 5pm, Monday-Friday. *Maintenance staff will accept donations when the FIT Closet is closed and will deliver donations to the FIT Closet during our open hours.

*If you're not able to drop off items there then bring them to Central Gathering over the next couple Sundays and drop them in the big blue tub and we'll get the items to the FIT Closet.

Isn't there MORE I can do?

If you talk to anyone who needs assistance, you can call Renee Bergman (785-375-1577). She is a local Red Cross person and can get them hooked up with donated items. Also, anyone affected by the floods can go to Pottorf or St. Thomas More to find donated items - they don't have to be staying at the shelters.

If you have ideas about how we can help please let Ben know at bendeaver@tallgrass.church.

In the meantime, be prayerful for our community and look for opportunities to neighbor well!