Fort McMurray social groups struggle with impending closure of donations centre
David Thurton | CBC News | Posted: October 14, 2016 11:00 AM | Last Updated: October 14, 2016
'We understand the importance of getting moving on this as winter approaches'
The looming closure of the Alberta Wildfire Donation Centre in Edmonton will leave wildfire victims high and dry unless some group steps up to fill the gap, say Fort McMurray social agencies.
"This is really an urgent need," said Diane Shannon, executive director of Fort McMurray's United Way.
"We understand the importance of getting moving on this as winter approaches and the warehouse in Edmonton prepares to shut down."
Friday is the last day the Alberta Wildfire Donation Centre will be accepting drop-offs.
The province hired the Adventist Development Relief Agency Canada following the wildfire in May to collect, sort and distribute donations in a relief effort, but the group's $1-million contract ends on Nov. 30.
The centre's progress report to the end of September shows volunteers have sorted 13,225,250 donated items such as toiletries, linen, food items, and pet products.
"We are hoping that before we have to shut down Nov. 30, the agencies up there will find the space and the capacity to be able to accept some of these pallets we've had here since June," said Kryzia Abacan, the centre's communications and office manager.
'Increased concern'
However there is no centre in Fort McMurray ready to receive the goods.
Fort McMurray's social agencies hope to come up with a plan to accommodate the remaining pallets.
"The crisis was in the heat of the beginning of summer and we are seeing an increased concern around warm winter clothing and hats and mittens and coats, especially for children and for everyone," Shannon said.
Other groups, like the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, say there will be an ongoing need for donations well into the next couple of years as the slow process of home rebuilding drags on.
The Adventist relief agency said it would help in whatever way it was needed, but neither the province nor the municipality has requested its services.
Neither responded to a request for an interview Thursday.
In the meantime, the United Way and Wood Buffalo Food Bank say they're meeting with other local agencies to brainstorm on how to find and staff a warehouse capable of receiving and distributing still-needed donations.