December 26, 2019. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bethlehem Baptist Church – Red Cross shelter. Dinearia rests on a cot while her mom Lesley makes a phone call. The Francis Drake Hotel fire has displaced more than 250 people, mostly women and children transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Around 150 stayed at the Red Cross shelter. Photo by Lara Leimbach, American Red Cross.
Dozens of volunteers with the Minnesota Region of the American Red Cross are helping more than 200 people displaced by the heartbreaking holiday fire at the Francis Drake Hotel apartment building in Minneapolis.
Working with partners, Red Cross disaster responders are providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
Residents are moving to temporary evacuation shelters where food, Red Cross health services and mental health support will be available. Arrangements for overnight sheltering are in progress.
Financial donations - not donations of goods - are the best way to help
We know that people are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster. However, it takes time and money to store, sort, clean and distribute donated items. Financial donations can be accessed quickly and allow more flexibility to give people what they need most.
The first priority for the Red Cross is to provide shelter and support to those affected. The best way to help those affected by disasters, like the Francis Drake Hotel Apartment fire, is to make a financial donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief.
• You can help people affected by disasters like the Drake Hotel by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief.
• Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
• Visit redcross.org/mn, call (612) 872-3226 or 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation that will support disasters big and small.
• Donations may also be mailed to American Red Cross Minnesota Region, 1201 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55454.