The hub for these collaborations was The Assistance Center (pictured above), a temporary facility that operated out of The Guidance Center on Huntington Drive during the fires.
The center provided vital information and managed the intake process so people impacted by the fire could be quickly and efficiently provided with resources, ranging from temporary shelter to accommodations for pets to clothing and food.
Food and grocery cards, in fact, was the number one item needed during the emergencies, Bunis said. During fires, power was turned off in the affected areas, so many lost perishable items.
In most cases, people didn’t physically go to the Assistance Center to register for help. More than two-thirds of the requests were generated online, Bunis said.
Collaborating with the County during this time were numerous nonprofits, including American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Flagstaff Family Food Center, St. Vincent de Paul, The Guidance Center, and United Way of Northern Arizona. In addition to raising funds, UWNA also organized volunteer efforts to help clean out debris.
The community has now shifted its focus to potential flooding in the region, a likelihood that has increased with the new burn scars caused by this spring’s fires. It is anticipated that 800,000 sandbags will be needed to help homeowners prevent flooding. See below for more information on this massive effort and how you can help.