'Desperate need' continues for donations of basics for Fort McMurray evacuees

There is still a "desperate need" for donations of basic necessities for Fort McMurray residents displaced by a wildfire.

The Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society emphasized the need, and issued another call for volunteers, as it announced Friday that it will centralize the drop-off location for donations.

"Donations need to keep coming," said spokesperson Nicole Geoffroy.

Effective Saturday May 14, the warehouse at 3870 98 Street will be the only donations drop-off centre. It will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Donations will no longer be accepted at the previous locations in Edmonton and at the Edmonton International Airport.
"We will need hundreds of volunteers through the next couple of days," Geoffroy added.

They will sort through donations and pack them up for distribution.

"Our goal is to fill this warehouse up to the rafters and get that out to the evacuees as soon as we can", said Dan Lajeunesse, chief of logistics with the city of Edmonton.

Previous donation sites were inadequate. This 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse has seven bays with a "proper loading dock," he added.

Local truck and supplier companies have donated trucks and drivers, but more are still needed, Lajeunesse said.

Approximately 17,500 evacuees have been helped in the last four days,Geoffroysaid.

"The numbers are great enough to see how desperately we need these donations to continue to come in."

Items needed

• Ready-to-use baby formula
• Laundry detergent
• New socks
• New underwear (all sizes, both sexes)
• New clothing in all sizes
• New shoes
• New towels
• New pillows

More information is available on the EERSS facebook page.