Every disaster is local and MDS responses are local

MDS’s website currently lists an opportunity for volunteers from across the US to serve in the town of Spencer, Iowa (though to be fair, all available date ranges listed between Jun 28 and August 29^th are “FULL”).  In June 2024, The Little Sioux River crested at 22.2 feet, flooding much of the south side of Spencer, Iowa and damaging hundreds of homes.

In March 2025 MDS Iowa unit leadership along with Region 3 Operations Coordinator, Matt Troyer-Miller, began making visits to Spencer. These first meetings created important relationships between local MDS volunteers and those leading the recovery efforts.  Being near the state line, Unit leaders from South Dakota and Minnesota also visited with the long-term recovery group, exploring ways MDS could help in this community.  Matt’s reports from investigation visits included a few photos of Spencer at the crest of the flooding (included).  One of the goals of an MDS investigation is to build relationships with those coordinating recovery and determine the viability of an MDS response.   While the first visits highlighted challenges that made a large-scale MDS response impossible at the time, Matt and the local Unit leaders committed to remaining in contact with the local recovery leaders.

As the city of Spencer continued to make decisions and secure funding, MDS volunteers stayed in touch.  In July of 2025 the local Iowa unit leaders were able to take on some jobs as requested by the recovery group and began scheduling local volunteers to complete some drywall and insulation. They also hosted volunteers from South Dakota to support the Iowa Unit’s work. Local volunteers continued to complete jobs like framing, painting, cabinetry and trim installation, hang doors, and fix porch support throughout the winter of 2025-2026.  The Unit also stayed in contact with Matt, laying the groundwork for a February 2026 decision that the community had progressed to meet the requirements for hosting a National MDS project site and the team began planning to host MDS’ Summer Youth Program in June-August 2026. The Iowa Unit had completed 8 jobs in Spencer throughout the winter of 2025-2026. After these jobs were completed, the Iowa Unit volunteer work continued by installing temporary walls in a local church that will serve as MDS’ overnight and kitchen accommodations for groups of summer volunteers. This summer, volunteer groups from across the US will restore many more homes and build one new home from the ground up.

Megan Hanges, Executive Director for Clay County Long Term Recovery Group, shared this about MDS’s work in Spencer:

“It has been such an honor and a total privilege to have the MDS crew in town working with us. The leadership crews, teams and volunteers are some of the most wonderful, hardworking people I’ve met and they get things done so fast (We are trying to keep up!). Thank you all for your partnerships! I know that for me some of the people who have come will be lifelong friends. The impact you have made in our community already is amazing! Thank you!”

This project highlights the importance of MDS’s grassroots local units which are the backbone of our work.  When disasters like the flooding in Spencer happen, local volunteers respond. When called upon, MDS staff are available to assist units working to respond to large-scale disasters if local needs outweigh the volunteer ability of a unit.  MDS is grateful to our Unit Leaders, the cornerstone of all our responses to disasters, and the consistent and long-term face of MDS in every state/region of the country through these local organizations.  Visit MDS.org to learn more or get involved in your local unit.

by Becky King – MDS Region 3 Administrative Assistant