Washington’s Hunger Relief Network Joins Forces to Help Wildfire Victims

Press Release 

Contact: Julie Washburn Direct Phone: (253) 677-3056

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 P.M. PST, July 25, 2014

Washington’s Hunger Relief Network Joins Forces to Help Wildfire Victims 

Leaders from the Washington Food Coalition (WFC) are stepping up to procure and send needed supplies to the victims of the devastating wildfires east of the Cascades. The mobilization began July 23^rd when Julie Washburn, WFC Executive Director, forwarded to the board a plea for supplies and resources from fellow WFC board member May Segle. May Segle is the Administrator Program Director at Entiat Valley Community Services and is serving as a contact point for getting emergency supplies to those in need.

As of July 24^th Segle reported, “We have 300 families displaced or without homes. We are looking at about 1250 children who are in need of school supplies and clothing.” Power and cooling ability is limited or non-existent, so there is special need for shelf stable food that is easy to prepare. Gas cards and generators are desperately needed to address this issue. In addition, Hygiene products for all ages and clothes and school supplies for children ages 4-18 are needed.

Toiletries & Hygiene Kits (Can put in bag): Shampoos, Bar Soaps, Cream Rinses, Shaving Creams, Disposable Razors, Toothbrush/Toothpaste, Denture Cleansers & Brushes, Hand Creams, Combs/Brushes, Mouthwashes, Deodorants, Dental Floss Other Items Needed: Feminine Napkins/Tampons, Adult Diapers Baby & Toddler Diapers, Diaper Rash Cream, Wipes, Kleenex Tissues, Hand Sanitizer

School Supplies and Clothing: Clear or Mesh Backpacks, 3-Ring Binders, Composition and Spiral Notebooks, Regular & College Ruled Paper, Graph Paper, Rulers, Red/Blue/Black Ink Pens, Pencil Pouches, Hand Held Pencil Sharpeners, Highlighters, Colored Pencils, Washable Markers, Dry Erase Markers, 2 Pocket Folders, Safety Scissors, Glue Sticks, 3X5 Index Cards, USB Flash Drives, Lanyards, All New or Gently Used Clean Clothing

The WFC leaders acted swiftly and efficiently in securing supplies to be delivered as soon as possible. Rotarians across the state are being mobilized to collect and distribute items listed above. Snohomish County food banks have reached out to the press to garner support, are sending locally sourced funds for emergency needs, and committing to delivering supplies in August. More supplies and help are being provided from WFC Members from Longview to Seattle to Wenatchee and many places in between. WFC Members need additional community support to get the much-needed supplies, as well as to partner with delivery.

Julie Washburn states: “This great display of teamwork and cooperation among Washington’s hunger relief agencies shows what caring and dedicated people can do when tragedy strikes.” Together, the Washington Food Coalition is the unified voice for a strong emergency food system and a unified team working so our fellow Washingtonians are safe and comfortable.

Please contact May Segle, Administrator Program Director at Entiat Valley Community Services, for more information about the need and how to deliver large goods:

call: 509.888.3999, e-mail: EVCSFB@nwi.net, 2084 Entiat Way, PO Box 697, Entiat, WA 98822

Due to intermittent power in the area, May be unreachable at times until infrastructure is strengthened. Interested parties can instead contact the Washington Food Coalition as an intermediary coordinator. info@wafoodcoalition.org