Boston (Nov. 19) — In 2024, the climate crisis mounted an overwhelming toll on people in Massachusetts and across the U.S., who relied on the American Red Cross for relief and care as they faced the country’s second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters ever recorded.

This year’s 24 major climate and weather events —each with losses exceeding $1 billion — are topped only by last year’s record-breaking 28. To help, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from Massachusetts have been part of teams responding nonstop to provide shelter, food and other assistance to tens of thousands of people reeling from this year’s hurricanes, storms, floods and wildfires—all while continuing to care for families still recovering from 2023’s extreme disasters.

“First-hand, I’ve seen the devastation that disasters have caused families this year —and the climate crisis shows no signs of slowing down,” said Holly Grant, CEO of the Massachusetts Red Cross, who responded to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Georgia this fall. “Whether a crisis happens in our backyard or a community across the country, neighbors are counting on us to help ensure they don’t face it alone. Please join us by making a donation of any size or rolling up a sleeve to give blood or platelets.”

This GivingTuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also give the gift of time through volunteering.

NEED FOR FOOD IN 2024 NEARLY TRIPLES 5-YEAR NATIONAL AVERAGE Nationally, the scope of disasters increased this year’s demand for necessities like food and emergency lodging —which both exceeded the annual average for the past five years. In fact, this year’s more than 7 million meals and snacks, served by Red Cross volunteers, nearly tripled that average.

Locally, this included recent home fires in Peabody and Southbridge. And on a national scale, volunteers from Massachusetts responded to help during disasters such as the Southeast hurricanes, severe storms, and floods and wildfires in other areas of the country.

RED CROSS BOSTON FOOD PANTRY: The Red Cross Boston Food Pantry is on the front lines of food insecurity in Massachusetts. In addition to regular pantry days on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Food Pantry partners with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston Public Schools and multiple community organizations to alleviate hunger in sensitive populations, including school aged children, the elderly and low-income residents. 75% of the food distributed is fresh produce. Produce not fit for distribution is saved for composting at local farms.

RESPONDING TO OTHER HUMANITARIAN NEEDS This year, the Red Cross addressed people’s urgent needs in other ways too:

• BLOOD DONATIONS: Millions of blood donors nationwide, including in Massachusetts helped overcome a significant number of blood drive cancellations due to the country’s severe weather and heat, including more than 5,400 drives statewide. This support was critical because as the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross helped ensure patients continued accessing lifesaving treatment during major disasters by pre-positioning blood products near areas likely to be impacted—including in Georgia and Florida for Hurricane Helene and in Florida again just days later for Hurricane Milton. To celebrate 30 years of FRIENDS, all who come to give blood or platelets Nov. 18-Dec. 8 will receive two pairs of custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks, while supplies last, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. See RedCrossBlood.org/Friends for details.
• LIFESAVING TRAINING: With emergency rooms experiencing a spike in heat illness visits amid the country’s extreme temperatures, Red Cross instructors empowered millions of people—including more than 33,900 in Massachusetts —this year with vital first aid, CPR and AED skills to help them prevent and respond to heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
• MILITARY FAMILIES: Through our 24/7, global Hero Care Network, local Red Cross workers supported military members, veterans and their families in Massachusetts this year through almost 800 case services, such as connecting deployed service members and loved ones during family emergencies. Nationally, this also included answering thousands of calls from military families affected by this year’s hurricanes —including Helene and Milton —and connecting them with military aid societies to help facilitate recovery assistance.
   

Visit redcross.org/MA for more information about how the Red Cross of Massachusetts helped people in 2024.

About Our Regional Holiday Supporters:
The Red Cross is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to make the mission of the Red Cross possible. They include regional partners Takeda, TJX, New Balance Foundation, Liberty Mutual, EG America, Vertex Foundation, GE Vernova, DraftKings, National Grid and Public Consulting Group. Thanks to the generosity of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.