Orphan Grain Train, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and local churches are partnering to make a coordinated effort to help people affected by the Elkhorn Valley Flood. This effort will include volunteer coordination, cleaning supplies, groceries, and perishable food storage and damage assessment.

The Orphan Grain Train will collect donations of cleaning supplies and donations of tools at its Norfolk warehouse at 7th and West Phillip Ave (606 W. Phillip).

Donated groceries and bottled water are being collected at the Salvation Army, 112 N 7th St. in Norfolk.

The American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter at the Norfolk Auditorium and will provide damage assessment after the waters recede.

People who wish to provide volunteer labor for the clean-up effort should call Christ Lutheran Church, 371-1210. If that number is busy you may call Grace Lutheran Church at 371-1044. You will be asked for your name, address, phone numbers and what skills you wish to provide. As the clean-up effort is organized volunteers will be called upon to report for duty.

Temporary refrigerated and frozen storage is available at the Orphan Grain Train parking lot at 7th and West Phillip Ave. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., for flooded families who wish to temporarily store their perishable food supply. Cleaning supplies and bottled water are being collected at Orphan Grain Train. These donations may be brought to the 7th and West Phillip location between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Requested items include:

  • Liquid bleach
  • Comet brand or other cleansing powder
  • Top Job brand or other liquid cleaner
  • Windex brand or other glass cleaner
  • Scrub brushes
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sponges
  • Paper towels
  • Brooms and mops
  • 5-gallon buckets
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Hammers, sledgehammers, crowbars, facemasks and goggles for removing wet sheet-rock.


Cash donations of any amount are also gratefully received so that Orphan Grain Train may purchase these items in bulk quantities. Forty dollars will purchase an assortment of each of the necessary cleaning supplies, plus a mop and broom.  Each organization is collecting cash donations for the relief effort. Make checks payable to: "Orphan Grain Train Elkhorn Valley Flood Relief," PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702. Or make checks payable to "Salvation Army Elkhorn Valley Flood Relief," 112 N. 7th St., Norfolk, NE 68701, or American Red Cross Elkhorn Valley Flood Relief," PO Box 304, Norfolk, NE 68702.