Spokane disaster assistance center extends services as recovery efforts expand

SPOKANE — Spokane Public Schools is keeping its Disaster Assistance Center at Shadle Park High School open through Wednesday as fire victims continue to seek help navigating recovery needs, insurance claims, and property cleanup.

The center has drawn more people than school officials anticipated, with many families making multiple trips to access the various services and resources available. Fire victims are still in need of housing, food, and financial assistance as they work toward rebuilding their lives.

“Right now, probably gift cards. People need some financial relief. They need to be able to get a tank of gas or some sort of relief as they’re moving back into their homes or they’re waiting to rebuild,” said Becky Doughty, Executive Director of Student Support Services for Spokane Public Schools.

Plenty of clothing and hygiene products continue to arrive at the center, and Spokane Public Schools says it is still accepting donations but has most of the essentials that fire victims need. Multiple organizations are working alongside the school district to provide immediate assistance through various booths at the center.

Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army are distributing gift cards to help fire victims purchase food. The Salvation Army is also issuing vouchers for furniture to help families replace household items lost in the fires.

Adventist Community Services is establishing an additional resource center at Northtown Mall to distribute donations to affected families. The organization hopes to have the center open by Tuesday and says it could remain operational for six weeks or longer, depending on the volume of donations received.

Spokane Public Schools is also preparing to support families as students prepare to return to school in the coming weeks. The district is urging parents and guardians who were impacted by the fires to contact the school system as soon as possible if they need assistance.

“Everybody else goes back to their regular lives, we know that they’re going to need that support. They’re looking for what’s next and for someone to help guide them through that process as well,” Doughty said.