Red Cross Disaster Center Still Open

Soon after last week’s deluge, the Ventura County chapter of the American Red Cross snapped into action, providing food, shelter and other necessities to those hit by the storms.

As of Tuesday morning, the Red Cross had provided county residents with nearly 4,000 meals, given away 395 Comfort Kits, consisting of items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant, and 91 Clean-Up Kits, which include a shovel, broom and disinfectant, said Andrew Smith, spokesman for the Red Cross.

But at the Red Cross Disaster Service Center in the Ventura County Fairgrounds, things have been quiet since it opened Saturday.

“It’s been very slow today,” center coordinator Betty Jimenez said. “But we’re here if they need us. People are sometimes so traumatized (after a disaster) they don’t know where to turn. And that’s where we come in.”

Situated in the Gem & Mineral Building, the center was all but empty Tuesday afternoon. About 12 volunteers milled about the cavernous space, chatting, reading newspapers and waiting.

Since Saturday, the center--the only one in Ventura County--has helped about 24 families, Smith said. While the Red Cross does not have an estimate of how many county residents are eligible for assistance, they expect the number to grow later this week.

Once the Red Cross verifies that the storms caused damage to a house or apartment, the organization provides people with food, short-term shelter and even a grant for the first month’s rent and security deposit on a new apartment, said Jimenez, an 18-year Red Cross volunteer and Oxnard resident.

“We’re really encouraging anyone affected to come to us,” Smith said. “We want to be the first point of contact for people, since we provide immediate assistance and give referrals to other agencies.”

Jimenez said the center at the fairgrounds will remain open at least through Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.