The Salvation Army Ridgecrest has been blessed to be the “in-between” of this gracious community’s giving for the less than 20 evacuees temporarily sheltered in the Burroughs High School gym. The beautiful people there are so grateful for what has been done by you all to make their displacement, as a result of the Borel fire, easier. We hope and pray that they can return soon, to the pets they had to leave behind, doing well and waiting for them, and their homes unscathed. All the money that has been donated through our secure website Ridgecrest.SalvationArmy.org will go directly to Kern Co. Borel fire survivors to help them restore. Thank you to many individuals and churches for the Walmart gift cards entrusted to us that have already been distributed to evacuees to help support their immediate needs during their displacement. Thank you to the many businesses and restaurants that have provided aid in the form of fabulous food. We get “Love Your Neighbor” in Ridgecrest, and we have well done this for the folks affected by fire.
The wonderful question everyone is selflessly asking is, “What can I do to help?” Truthful answer is, to remember our neighbors, who are just across the street, not only across the mountain pass, who fight and struggle through everyday emergencies. Situations like the loss of a family member, job, or good health. Circumstances like the ability to afford your basics needs on a fixed income, during the current inflation, and reality of food costs rising 40% since this time last year.
There were more Ridgecrest and Inyokern residents, who walked up, biked up, and bussed up, to receive fresh food boxes on Tuesday, July 30th, than in the shelter at BHS. In the drive thru food line, we served 18 new local households, who came to us for the first time, because they are already here and struggling among us. We always see an increase at the end of each month, but the number of households spiked to twice as much as usual. Perhaps, this is because neighbors are sheltering neighbors, as there are many people staying with friends and family here, until life gets easier for all, and the fire evacuation orders are lifted too. This past Tuesday was only one of five food programs we will execute this week. Projections are that we will serve more people right here in Ridgecrest, like we get to do every week, than have been impacted by the recent fires.
This is our reminder, that need knows no boundaries or circumstance or timing. We all have need, and we all have something we can give to help our local neighbors in need, every day.
We are always grateful to receive donations, of recently purchased and unopened, non-perishable convenience foods, and cases of bottled water at 151 N Downs St. Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. If you desire to recycle nice things, you no longer need or use, please go to our Household Donations Drive Thru, which is open Wednesday and Friday 8am-12pm. Your giving supports our voucher program, for those in need of stuff and clothes in the Thrift Store.
The greatest need is and will always be, monetary donations. No matter how much you can give, collectively it all adds up, as we come together to Restore Ridgecrest & Beyond, One Amazing Soul at a Time, Every Day. This is how we can help, because that is what we are each called to uniquely do, with what we have already been given. All The Best in Ridgecrest!
For more information or support call (760) 375-7219
Captains Gina & Chris Noble, The Salvation Army Ridgecrest