WORTHINGTON -- Volunteers with the American Red Cross are on the ground helping those affected by the devastating storms that passed through Minnesota and the Upper Midwest last Thursday.
Red Cross disaster response teams are providing mass care, damage assessment and emotional support in the most affected areas, including Faribault, Freeborn, Steele, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk and Wadena counties. All Red Cross evacuation shelters opened on Thursday are now closed.
Early assessments indicate there will be some need for emergency relief supplies such as tarpaulins, plywood and clean up materials in some areas. Feeding operations have begun in several communities.
During a disaster, the Red Cross typically provides shelter, food, mental health counseling, emotional support, basic first aid services, clean-up supplies and comfort items to those affected.
To help people affected by the recent tornadoes, donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.
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Call 1-800-733-2767 or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross at
P. O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to the local chapter of the American Red Cross at 716 Oxford St., Suite 2, Worthington. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org .
The Red Cross is not able to accept any collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys and canned goods. If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, contact Lacy Brick at (612) 604-3289 or lbrick@redcrosstc.org .
