Volunteers delivering thousands of meals, snacks and relief items

MONTPELIER, VT JULY 21, 2023 — As parts of Vermont begin the long process of recovery after last week’s catastrophic flooding, the Red Cross continues to provide service and support to areas still impacted.

RED CROSS SERVICE DELIVERY

Since shelters opened, the Red Cross and our partners have provided 713 overnight stays for more than 191 residents in emergency shelters.

With the help of partners, a total of 16,670 meals and snacks have been provided.

To date, 18,701 relief items, including comfort kits and other supplies, have been provided to people in need and 1,525 total households have been served.

15 disaster assessment teams are surveying damage throughout the state

This Red Cross disaster relief operation has been supported by 228 trained Red Cross disaster workers, including 30 disaster health and mental health volunteers

MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS

The Red Cross continues to support multi-agency resource centers (MARCs) throughout the weekend. Trained Red Cross disaster workers will support MARCs in Barre, Wardsboro and Johnson in the coming days. These sites serve as a “one-stop shop” for people looking to access a variety recovery services and programs from various agencies, get a hot meal, pick up cleaning supplies and meet with mental health and spiritual care volunteers. The recovery process can be overwhelming. The Red Cross and community partners are on hand to help navigate the process. Please bring proof of address as it may be needed for some services.

Saturday, July 22 – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

BARRE: 16 Auditorium Hill

BARTON: 17 Village Square

WARDSBORO: Wardsboro Elementary, 70 School Rd.

Sunday, July 23 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

BARRE: 16 Auditorium Hill

WARDSBORO: Wardsboro Elementary, 70 School Rd.

JOHNSON: Johnson Elementary School, 57 College Hill Rd.

RED CROSS SHELTER LOCATIONS:

BARRE: Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill)

JOHNSON: Northern Vermont University – Johnson campus (337 College Hill)

Even as the Red Cross delivers disaster relief such as food and shelter, it is also thinking about the future and planning for how to help impacted communities and families recover in the months and years ahead. Every disaster is different, and so are the needs of each affected community and family. The Red Cross works closely with local partners to create plans and coordinate recovery services to ensure people get the help they need to get back on their feet.

If you or a loved one needs help, reach out through the Disaster Distress Helpline for free 24/7 support by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help people affected by disasters like flooding and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Red Cross is not accepting donations of clothing or household items, as these types of donations divert resources away from our mission.

Due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of homecooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.

DONATE LIFESAVING BLOOD

Over the past two weeks, weather conditions have canceled blood drives or caused lower donor turnout. Individuals in unaffected areas — especially those with type O blood types — are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.

Please schedule an appointment to give blood today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).