SPOKANE, Wash. — Fire survivors in Spokane continue to struggle with immediate needs as local non-profits mobilize to provide food, clothing and hygiene supplies to families displaced by the Old Trails Fire.
Second Harvest and Excelsior Wellness have partnered to distribute essential items just blocks away from where the Old Trails Fire devastated entire neighborhoods in Indian Trail. The organizations have stationed themselves in front of the Excelsior building each day for the past week, offering support to those affected by the disaster.
Demetrius Palmer, director of external relations for Excelsior, said the experience has been moving for staff members witnessing the impact on families.
“Some families come up and they’re hesitant, some come up and they’re so thankful they’re moved to tears,” Palmer said. “We’ve ran into a few families that have come and shared their experience with their insurance and what they’re going through.”
The distribution effort extends beyond fire victims. The supplies are available to anyone in the community who needs assistance.
For families unable to visit during the daily distribution events, Excelsior maintains its care center open on weekdays, providing ongoing access to resources. The center serves all community members, regardless of whether they receive mental health services from Excelsior.
Tyunna Nielson, a single mother of five, evacuated her family during the fires but was fortunate to keep her home. She visited Excelsior’s care center for the first time today seeking assistance for her family.
“I saw that they were bringing in aid for people that were in need, obviously I’m in need, I’m a single mom of five kids,” Nielson said. “That’s what brought me in to get the help.”
The variety of available items at the care center made a tangible difference for Nielson’s family, allowing her to find multiple items for each of her children rather than rationing supplies.
“It was nice to be able to find a couple things for each of my kids,” Nielson said. “Instead of normally we can only find one thing for this child or a couple things for this child. So it’s nice to be able to have a variety of ages that you can come and shop for.”
The partnership between Second Harvest and Excelsior Wellness reflects a broader community response to the fire’s aftermath. While immediate relief through food and clothing distribution addresses urgent needs, the organizations are also considering long-term support for affected families.
Excelsior is actively seeking donations of clothes and shelf-stable foods to sustain relief efforts as recovery continues. Community members interested in supporting fire survivors can contribute items to help stock the distribution centers and care facility.
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