Agency takes lead on donation distribution for Fort McMurray; essential items list released
Posted Jun 14, 2016 3:28 pm.
Last Updated Jun 14, 2016 3:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Alberta Government has announced the organization that will help sort and distribute the tons of donations for those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire, while also laying out what items are badly needed.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency will coordinate the collection and distribution of items to residents, as media toured the Alberta Wildfire Donation Centre in Edmonton on Tuesday.
Some of the updated essential items needed include:
Canned meat
Peanut butter
Baby food and formula
New baby bottles
New pillows
New towels
Basic first aid kits
Children’s shoes
Sanitary wipes or multi-surface wipes
Water
ADRA Executive Director James Astleford said the trailer loads of items that have been coming into the warehouse are being tabulated.
“Certain things tend to come in quickly and other things not, so as we identify what we have and what we don’t have, we can then put out very specific appeals,” he said. “What I’m delighted with that we’re having here is a very frank and dynamic conversation with the Government of Alberta to ensure, that we don’t have what was referred to as the throwing away of perfectly good things.”
Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee said the donations will be needed for a long time and for a lot of people.
“They’re returning home and finding out even if you had a home that you might have to throw out a lot of the food that you had there and with no income, not being able to replace that,” she said. “It’s about that long-term stretch.”
Albertans who want to donate items for Fort McMurray residents can call 310-4455 for instructions and can visit emergency.alberta.ca for an updated list of most-needed items.
Financial donations are also still being accepted by the Canadian Red Cross.
