What is Mass Care?

During disaster response one of the main roles of the Red Cross is Mass Care. If you’re not a Red Cross worker, you’re probably thinking “What is Mass Care, anyway?”

Mass Care encompasses many of the Red Cross services including sheltering, the preparation of food, mobile feeding, and bulk distribution. Mobile feeding and bulk distribution are often carried out using the Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) often seen in photos and on TV. Specially designed to carry food in “cambros,” (large, plastic, re-sealable containers) the ERVs can carry up to 2,000 pounds of cargo. That’s a lot of food for a lot of people.

ERVs are also used in bulk distribution. Bulk distribution includes the delivery of comfort kits containing toothbrushes and toiletry items, or even clean-up kits containing sponges and bleach to help people clean up after disasters like the recent flooding. Whether it is shampoo or a mop, materials must be collected and distributed by teams of hard-working Red Cross volunteers, all of whom are part of the Mass Care team.

For more information on how you can help with mass care or any other task during a disaster, contact the Louisville Area Chapter at 589-4450 or visit louisville-redcross.org.

LAC responds to Kentucky flooding

Mother Nature is at it again, this time hammering southern Kentucky and counties surrounding Louisville with over 10 inches of rain in some areas. Our friends based in Bardstown and Bowling Green are seeing the most damage caused by overflowing rivers. Even though the full extent of the flood damage has yet to be determined, Red Cross volunteers from across the state are mobilizing to help those in need.

Many people in the Boston and New Haven areas are unable to access their homes, leaving them without food and clean clothing. A team of volunteers traveled from the Louisville Area Chapter to Marion County this morning to provide food and water for stranded residents via an ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle). More volunteers are preparing to deploy as news from disaster assessment teams comes in, and our client caseworkers are already meeting with flood victims to ensure their immediate emergency needs are met.

Stay tuned to the LAC blog for reports on the chapter’s response to the widespread flooding.