They had a large hole in the roof of their church and a lot of water damage. Their Bibles, hymnals and carpeting are all ruined. But 14 families from their congregation have lost everything.

There is also a workable Wal-Mart nearby so Wal-Mart gift cards and cash donations are also accepted.

They have opened up the parsonage as sort of a staging area where they give food and supplies to the many workers who have come.

They do have electricity and are providing meals and showers for workers. They have had workers from Missouri, Texas, Florida and Ohio. Paper plates are a huge item right now. All water has to be boiled, and if you are feeding 50 to 60 people a meal that's a lot of dishes to wash.

[On Sunday morning, following the destruction of the water line, the Rev. Tom Jimison of Central United Methodist Church in Spencer furiously preached in favor of the strikers. He prayed for railroad employees and their families and asked God to lead management to resolve the issue soon. At the end of the service, as chords of] Amazing Grace ... Your soul had a better chance of going to heaven if you grew up with your feet under a union table at mealtime.

Since the appropriations are expenditures of water and sewer surplus funds, they have the effect of reducing the water and sewer fund balance. These appropriations should be subtracted from the fund balance.