LOS ANGELES -- Charitable organizations providing aid to people evacuated from the wildfires say they need cash gifts more than anything else to sustain supply lines of food and to maintain counseling and relocation services.
There is, however, a need for some food for animals.
Volunteers who want to help at the shelters should first contact agencies such as the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross rather than just show up at a shelter, the organizations say.
The goal is to ensure proper training, maintain security and distribute manpower where it is most needed.
Potential volunteers for the Red Cross should call (866) 548-8226. Financial donations can be made by calling (310) 445-2685 or online at www.redcrossla.org
For donations and volunteering at the Salvation Army, call (800) SALARMY or go online at: www.salvationarmy-socal.org
The groups say they do not want individual donations of food or clothing dropped off at shelters.
But donors of clothing and household goods to Goodwill stores in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can indicate they want shopping vouchers provided to fire victims under an arrangement with the Red Cross.
Goodwill Southern California has 100 locations that can be found by calling (888) 4GOODWILL or (888) 446-6394, or by going online at www.goodwillsocal.org.
Goodwill spokeswoman Christianne Ray said the program allows fire victims "the option of shopping whenever they are ready and to shop for exactly what they need."
The Red Cross decides how large a voucher each household receives.
The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA has provided a temporary home to about 250 pets since the evacuations began on Friday and is asking for donations of cat food and cat litter.
"All brands are fine. And we will take dog food, of course, and towels and blankets too," said Hillary Gatlin, a community resources associate.
She asked that donors bring the items to the society at 361 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena.
The society can be reached at (626) 792-7151.
The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services reports that it also wants donations of unopened animal food to aid pets evacuated in the Sunland- Tujunga area.
Donations should be brought to the department's North Central facility near downtown Los Angeles at 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031.
For more information, call (888) 452-7381.
There is, however, a need for some food for animals.
The goal is to ensure proper training, maintain security and distribute manpower where it is most needed.
Potential volunteers for the Red Cross should call (866) 548-8226. Financial donations can be made by calling (310) 445-2685 or online at www.redcrossla.org
For donations and volunteering at the Salvation Army, call (800) SALARMY or go online at: www.salvationarmy-socal.org
The groups say they do not want individual donations of food or clothing dropped off at shelters.
But donors of clothing and household goods to Goodwill stores in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can indicate they want shopping vouchers provided to fire victims under an arrangement with the Red Cross.
Goodwill Southern California has 100 locations that can be found by calling (888) 4GOODWILL or (888) 446-6394, or by going online at www.goodwillsocal.org.
Goodwill spokeswoman Christianne Ray said the program allows fire victims "the option of shopping whenever they are ready and to shop for exactly what they need."
The Red Cross decides how large a voucher each household receives.
The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA has provided a temporary home to about 250 pets since the evacuations began on Friday and is asking for donations of cat food and cat litter.
"All brands are fine. And we will take dog food, of course, and towels and blankets too," said Hillary Gatlin, a community resources associate.
She asked that donors bring the items to the society at 361 S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena.
The society can be reached at (626) 792-7151.
The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services reports that it also wants donations of unopened animal food to aid pets evacuated in the Sunland- Tujunga area.
Donations should be brought to the department's North Central facility near downtown Los Angeles at 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles, CA 90031.
For more information, call (888) 452-7381.
