High River now accepting only financial donations; Ability to handle physical items exceeded
These bears were found lined-up like this by local volunteers on July 9, 2013 (Image: Jeff Campbell, High River)
Thursday, August 22, 2013, 12:38 PM -
In what can only be the result of incredible generosity, the southern Alberta town that had to be evacuated due to the early summer flooding says it will no longer take donations of goods because it has run out of storage space.
High River, an area shown across Canadian television sets back in June as rising waters washed away roads and bridges, said in an email Tuesday that it appreciates the generosity and overwhelming support it has received since the devastating flood in June, but the town south of Calgary says it no longer has the capacity to sort, store and distribute any more donations of clothing, furniture, appliances and personal care items.
The town says if people still want to help, they can make a financial donation the High River Disaster Relief fund through the town's website at www.highriver.ca or at any Royal Bank of Canada.
More than 400 people recently moved into a long line of trailers on a 40-hectare piece of land north of the town while their flood- damaged homes are either rebuilt or fixed.
The town says 1,200 people will eventually be living in this temporary trailer neighbourhood.
People displaced by the floods have the option of moving into temporary housing or making their own arrangements; they will receive accommodations rent-free for the first 90 days.
High River now accepting only financial donations; Ability to handle physical items exceeded
"Due to the overwhelming support that has poured into High River since the June flooding, the town has surpassed its capacity to store physical donations..,'' the town said in an email Tuesday. "Residents seeking to replace damaged belongings from the flood are encouraged to visit the Salvation Army Foothills Church or the Foothills Salvage & Recycling Centre to receive donated items.
"Residents wanting to pick up large household items, appliances, and furniture from the Foothills Salvage & Recycling Centre must first go to the Salvation Army Foothills Church for a voucher.''
The Alberta government says more than 14,500 homes were damaged during severe flooding in June in southern Alberta.
It also says 2,700 people are still living in temporary housing, in hotels or with friends and family.
The figures are in a two-month flood update provided by the province.
More than 8,000 applications for disaster recovery support are currently being processed and payments totalling nearly $7 million have so far been made.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford said earlier this week more than $5 billion will be needed to rebuild infrastructure.
