How you can help people impacted by B.C. wildfires

Kelowna's Prospera Place arena, home to the Kelowna Rockets hockey team, is now the temporary home for many displaced from their homes due to B.C.'s raging wildfires.

Volunteers mixed with evacuees at the facility on Saturday afternoon, filling plates from tables of food.

Jason Bedell, the emergency support services supervisor for the Kelowna Fire Department, said they're seeing "monumental evacuee needs."

But they are also facing the "unique problem" of being inundated with donations of perishable food.

"What we are asking is if people are willing and able to donate, please look to your local food banks or your non-profits," he said.

If the power or data on your device is low, you can get wildfire updates on CBC Lite, our low-bandwidth, text-only website.

"If there are commercial kitchens that are looking to do food, they can come to Prospera and meet with a staff member, get on a schedule that we're creating as we're finding all the foods coming at once and we don't want to waste anything.''

With other neighbouring communities dealing with their own fire issues, Bedell said co-ordination has been a challenge, but he called the flood of donations a "testament to the community's spirit."

"What we're missing out on right now is trained volunteers," he said.

"But we're working diligently with our partners at the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, which is providing us with additional resources."

"We are pulling out all stops to make sure we have what we need."

Charities start donation campaigns

With thousands of people affected by wildfires across B.C., many people are offering to help out.

The United Way of B.C.'s Southern Interior recently put a call out for blankets to help support evacuees displaced by wildfires in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

But unless you are responding to a specific need, established charities and support groups say the best way to help is through monetary donations, or registering to volunteer, so resources can be directed to where they are needed.

Groups advise against making unsolicited donations of food or goods, which require additional resources to coordinate and may go to waste.

That sentiment is echoed by the B.C. Wildfire Service, which says it cannot accept donations of food, supplies, or equipment, nor can individual members.

Instead, it suggests those wishing to help work with organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help support people affected by wildfires.

Canadians wishing to make a donation can do so online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

The United Way of B.C. has also started a campaign.

Verified charities

CanadaHelps has also put together a list of verified charities fundraising to help people affected by wildfires in B.C. and across Canada, including the Central Okanagan Food Bank and Salvation Army.

The B.C. SPCA, which helps provide evacuation support and emergency care for pets, welcomes donations and volunteers. People with space to take in livestock are invited to fill out foster applications so they can be connected with regional managers helping evacuees.

In many communities, local and regional Facebook groups have been created to help coordinate volunteers, resources and offers of help. The B.C. government offers tips for donating carefully, including:

• Avoid giving cash or using wire transfer services. Cheques should be made out to an organization, not an individual.
• Donations made online should only be done on secure websites.
• When asked for donations, check for identification or printed information about the charity.
• Beware of high-pressure tactics.
• Do an internet search for the charity's name and background.

You can also search for charities online through the Canada Revenue Agency.

CBC News is providing ongoing coverage of the wildfire situation in B.C. Tune in on CBC Radio One at 88.9 FM in Kelowna, 96.9 FM in Salmon Arm, or the CBC Listen app. You can also watch free livestreams on CBC News Network and CBC Gem.