WASILLA, AK, August 27, 2019 — The Red Cross of Alaska will be distributing emergency relief supplies to those who need them in the coming days, through a fixed site at the Upper Susitna Senior Center (16463 Helena Drive, Talkeetna) starting today, Tuesday, August 27 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and at the Curtis D Menard Memorial Sports Center (1001 S Clapp St, Wasilla) alongside Red Cross recovery casework and planning services, also starting today, Tuesday, August 27 at 10 a.m.

The Red Cross will also be distributing relief supplies through mobile routes with emergency response vehicles in the neighborhoods affected by the fire, starting today, Tuesday, August 27 at 10 a.m. The distribution of relief supplies will continue until the needs of those affected are met.

Effective this evening, the Red Cross will transition all overnight shelter services to the Menard Sports Center. However, the Upper Susitna Senior Center will remain open as a fixed site for the distribution of Red Cross relief supplies, the Upper Susitna Food Pantry will continue to serve meals, and residents will continue to have access to showers and laundry services at the center, thanks to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Emergency relief kits include items like water, masks, plastic storage totes, tarps, trash bags, shovels, rakes, brooms, sifters, gloves, personal hygiene items and more.

SERVICE DELIVERY TO DATE

The Red Cross of Alaska has been on the ground since the McKinley Fire started, providing comfort, shelter, emotional support, emergency relief supplies and recovery casework services to those who need it most. Since the fire began, the Red Cross has:

• Provided over 420 overnight stays in Red Cross shelters near Talkeetna and Wasilla 
• Served over 1,910 meals and snacks alongside partners
• Made over 385 disaster health and mental health contacts by independently licensed and trained Red Cross health professionals
• Mobilized more than 72 Red Cross disaster workers

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
We know Alaskans are generous and want to do everything they can to help those affected by the McKinley Fire. For any disaster, the first priority for the Red Cross is to provide shelter, meals and other support to those affected, and financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those who need it most.

The Red Cross responds to more than 62,000 disasters every year, including home fires and major disasters like the constant storms and floods that plagued much of the country earlier this year. You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crises by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. You can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross disaster workforce and make it possible for us to respond to disasters year-round. Those who are interested in getting trained to volunteer should visit redcross.org/Alaska to fill out a volunteer application, so that they will be ready to get started as a volunteer as opportunities become available.

FREE RED CROSS EMERGENCY APP
The American Red Cross Emergency App can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hands for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. Download the free app by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your mobile phone app store, texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999, or by visiting redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In Fiscal Year 2019, the American Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters by offering food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, hope and recovery services to 1,096 Alaskans in 50 communities statewide. Our preparedness teams installed 2,171 free smoke alarms and educated 1,409 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Our Training Services department enrolled 19,665 students in first aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. Our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,299 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. In Fiscal Year 2019, our statewide workforce of 729 volunteers logged 40,735 hours in service to our mission and their fellow Alaskans. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.

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