Monetary donations best for Fort McMurray, local BBB president says

The devastating fire in Fort McMurray, Alta., has left many Canadians with a desire to help.

The question is how best to do that.

Deborah Brady, the president of the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario, said the answer is likely to be found in your walletunless you live in the Fort McMurray area.

• Fort McMurray evacuees share stories of the wildfire's devastating impact

• Former Harrow resident helping out every way she can in Fort McMurray

• Fort McMurray donations to the Red Cross to be matched by Ottawa, Trudeau says

• Fort McMurray fire part of 'whirlwind' week for newborn

"The idea of giving clothing or food might be good for people who are in that community, but the cost of transportation for these things is too high and it takes too long,"Brady told CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon.

"The most effective way to donate is to give money."

The federal government is currently matching donations made to the Canadian Red Cross. Brady said this arrangement allows you to have a greater impact with your donation.

"That helps your dollar go further,"she said.

Brady said an alternative choice might be to donate funds to local charities that normally operate in the Fort McMurray area, as they may be in a good position to deliver needed supplies to people in the short term.

"These are organizations that would be able to quickly be able to provide support to the people who need it most because they have the resources and the infrastructure to do that,"she said.

Some of the organizations that could use immediate help include the Edmonton Humane Society andEdmonton's Food Bank.

Tamisan Bencz-Knight, the manager of strategic relationships and partnerships for that food bank, said there is no sense of how long these people will be in need.

"The problem with this one is we have no timeline,"she told CBC News in an interview.

Brady said it is important to check out the background on a charity before giving any money, so that you don't see your donation go to waste.