LUDLOW, Vt. – The United Church of Ludlow has transformed itself into a disaster hub that stands ready to respond the next time a flood disaster occurs in Vermont, thanks to the generosity of the community and funding from the Vermont UCC. No strangers to flooding, church members have worked to obtain and create a storage space for cleanup buckets, fans, sump pumps, shovels, hygiene kits, and more, which can be swiftly delivered wherever needed in the State of Vermont.
The church’s effort began with a Singo fundraiser, with Jane McGarry and musician Sammy Blanchette, that raised $1,500 last fall, and was supplemented by a $3,000 grant given by the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ. Those funds enabled church volunteers to purchase and assemble more than 30 flood buckets and hygiene kits, as well as the other supplies needed to mobilize to help an area clean up after a flood. The North Pomfret Congregational Church and Dummerston Congregational Church contributed an additional six cleanup buckets for the hub.
“We hope these cleanup supplies will not be needed, but, having experienced floods in 2011 and 2023 in our own community, we know how vital these supplies are, and want to be prepared to help communities in need,” pastor Michelle Fountain said.
Should an event occur, members from the United Church of Ludlow will work with the Vermont Conference to make sure the supplies get to where they are most needed.