While community members are often eager to help, managing a deluge of donations can present a secondary challenge during a disaster.
To help communities impacted by the 2020 fire season, the Sacramento Bee suggests providing cash assistance to community groups that have a proven record of helping those affected by wildfires.
Aid workers say if you really want to help, cash is best, because it can be spent on exactly what disaster victims need at the moment they need it. If you don’t feel comfortable sending money, another option is to send gift cards to local charities in the area that are helping fire victims.
Here are a few relief organizations helping fire victims accepting cash donations:
- The Solano Disaster Relief Fund: https://www.solanocf.org/Funds/Public/FundView.aspx?hFund=157&hFundCode=1&hFundType=1.
- The Napa Valley Community Foundation: https://www.napavalleycf.org/donate/
- The North Valley Community Foundation: https://www.nvcf.org/donate
- The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has a Fire Response Fund at https://www.cfscc.org/updates/fire-response-fund.
- The American Red Cross, which is paying to house people in motels this year instead of in traditional shelters due to the pandemic, is calling for cash donations. Its website provides numerous ways to donate.
- The Diocese of Sacramento Fire Assistance Fund is accepting donations by mail at Diocese of Sacramento Fire Assistance Fund, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818; by phone: (916) 733-0266; or online by visiting www.scd.org/donate. Click “Fire Assistance Fund.”
For addition ways to support wildfire survivors, visit KQED’s list of ways to help.