Resources for everyone impacted by Sonoma fires
As the wildfires that consumed an estimated 30 percent of the Valley raged, triage was all anyone could manage. Emergency responses to various emergency needs sprang from every quarter, seemingly, as locals opened their hearts, homes and wallets. Now, 16 days since the wildfires began, the response goal has turned to one of recovery.
Significant numbers of people are permanently displaced, continuing to need everything from transportation to shelter. Countless others have been adversely impacted in different ways, from work stoppages and slowdowns to contending with freezers full of spoiled food.
Below is a current list of ways to give and get help.
Recovery Entities
-- FEMA Legal Hotline: 415-575-3120
-- FEMA local assistance center at Hannah Boys Center, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (17000 Arnold Drive)
-- FEMA local assistance center at Santa Rosa Press Democrat (427 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa)
PGE's Recovery Net Program will reimburse individuals (with receipts) who lost food supplies after suffering at least 48 hours without power.
Facebook groups have created dedicated groups to assist victims without housing and other practical needs: “Keep them in Sonoma Valley,” “Keep them in Glen Ellen,” “Sonoma County Strong AKA Wine Country Strong” and “Sonoma Valley Curated Giving.”
Kivelstadt Cellars is hosting a free disaster recover seminar on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. (938-7001, 13750 Arnold Dr., kivelstadtcellars.com)
Local law enforcement has unscrupulous price-gougers on their radar, and citizens are encouraged to report unfair pricing of food, gas, housing and essentials. (800-952-5225, oag.ca.gov)
The Wildfire Legal Group is offering a free presentation at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Moose Lodge on Broadway. Lawyers will be offering free legal information. wildfirelegalgroup.com
Shelter
NorCalFireResource.com consolidates rental listings in the area. Landlords and tenants can submit forms online. (norcalfireresource.com)
SHARE Sonoma County is arranging emergency home shares for displaced individuals. Hosts needed, as well as volunteers to answer phones. (1500 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, SHAREfire@petalumapeople.org)
El Pueblo Inn is offering discounted rooms ($129) to evacuees. (996-3651, elpuebloinn.com)
Airbnb has activated its Open Homes program and waved service fees; persons with spare rooms can register to become volunteer hosts. (airbnb.com)
California State Parks has opened coastal campsites to refugees at Bodega Dunes, Wrights Beach, and Salt Point. (parks.ca.gov/fireaide)
To help fire victims avoid scammers and facilitate rebuilding, BuildZoom has launched a free post-disaster service to vet contractors and other service providers. They've also complied a how-to list of resources for residents. (buildzoom.com)
Food
The Springs Food Pantry has been relocated to St. Leo's Church. It will be open two days a week on Tuesdays, (starting Oct. 24) from 5 to 7 pm and Saturdays from Noon to 2 pm. Redwood Food Bank will be distributing “fire boxes” and additional food to people impacted by the fire. The pantry will operate as a drive-through. Donations of non-perishable food will be accepted at St. Leo's, storage space provided. Large donations will need to be coordinated with Greg Dipaulo, (609) 744-1877
Epicurean Connection is coordinating a “No Pay Café” at Sonoma Springs Community Hall, giving nearly 3000 meals away from 12-2 daily. Volunteers needed from 11-3. (18672 Sonoma Highway)
Redwood Empire Food Bank continues to need financial donations and non-perishable foods. (523-7900, 3990 Brickway Blvd, Santa Rosa, refb.org)
FISH is distributing groceries. (996-0111, 18330 Sonoma Highway, friendsinsonomahelping.org)
Non-perishables
Church Mouse is giving clothing and bedding away to fire victims at no cost. (996-5115, 16885 Sonoma Highway; 938-9797, 15 E. Napa St.) The Agua Caliente location seeks volunteers to help sort items.
Bon Marche Thrift Store is giving away clothing to fire victims and accepting donations. (933.9613, 19405 Riverside Dr., bonmarchethriftstores.org)
FISH has donated clothing, beddings and toiletries available at United Methodist Church (996-2151, 109 Patten Street, sonomaumc.com, friendsinsonomahelping.org) FISH has a donation center set up at the Methodist church on Patten St in Sonoma. They will be open this week: Wednesday, 11am-1pm and Thursday, 11am-3pm. Unfortunately they can't accept donations here as they are out of space.
1345 Imola St., Napa, houses a storefront packed with donated clothing.
United Way is accepting non-perishable donations. (975 Corporate Center Parkway, suite 160, Santa Rosa, unitedway.org.)
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