CEDAR FALLS - Our Shepherd's Closet will be back soon, organizers say.

With nonprofit status. Fresh donations. And a permanent location.

The group distributes home furnishings, clothing and other items free of charge to flood and tornado victims, but it was recently asked to leave its third location since forming in June. A fire marshal said its current home at the former Daisy Dairy warehouse, 9301 University Ave., doesn't have enough exits.

Members need to move out by Thursday.

"We feel that the Lord has perhaps put roadblocks in the way for us at this point, so that we would just step back and take it easy," said founder Becky King. "Once we're all rested, then we'll know when it's time to start up again."

For the past few weeks, organizers have invited previous clients and nonprofit groups to clear out the inventory. What's left will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop.

"We don't want to put anything into storage," King said. "We want it to be used."

However, a few things including sets of china and antiques have been set aside, possibly to sell for money to get re-established. According to an antique enthusiast, a donated umbrella dates back to 1840s China, while a wool lap quilt for World War II soldiers in wheelchairs was stitched by the Navy Mothers Club of Tacoma, Wash., organizers said.

Dianne Larsen, a volunteer coordinator and spiritual life assistant at Bremwood Lutheran Children's Home in Waverly, stopped by Saturday on behalf of Bremwood residents and her friend struggling since the Waverly flood.

"A lot of our kids are very needy as far as clothing and personal items," Larsen said. "They're hard up for underwear and socks, let alone other clothing. Winter coats are a good item, too."

Larsen also was greeted by boxes of hair crimpers, curling irons and hotel shampoos, soaps and lotions.

"And then we picked out some jewelry," King told Larsen. "We had one of the young gals go around and do it."

Some shelves are on their way to the flooded Elizabeth Rasmussen Martin Memorial Library in New Hartford. And on Tuesday a group from tornado-damaged Stanley picked up a hefty load of office equipment. Cubicles, filing cabinets, desks and chairs are being stored at the former Dalton Plumbing & Heating building, 222 State St.

For now, during the months leading up to potential spring disasters, volunteers will build relief kits with leftover odds and ends - buckets, baby formula and bottles, diapers, snacks, water, family-sized meals ready to eat, Moldex paint, cleaner, laundry soap and personal items.

Janet Bradley, assistant director of Our Shepherd's Closet, said her basement will serve as a staging area.

"We actually had some boxes that came in as a donation that have everything a family needs food-wise to survive for a week," Bradley said.

"Our intention is to get as much disaster preparedness items we can think of together that do not duplicate what Red Cross does," King added. "There's usually a two-day period there where everybody's in such shock that you almost have to go in and just make them take the stuff in order to help them."

In September the group applied for official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to become eligible for grants and other financial assistance. King hopes the Internal Revenue Service processes the request by March or April.

King predicts the comeback of Our Shepherd's Closet will be stronger than ever.

"Last year we had no clue," she said. "Who do we call for help? Now, we know. We've got a whole lot of information. We're way ahead of the game."

To contact Our Shepherd's Closet, call 404-8475 or e-mail ourshepherdscloset@mchsi.com.

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.