Salvation Army extends hand to fire victims

The American Red Cross will turn over daily operations of a shelter that’s been serving victims of some recent San Francisco fires to The Salvation Army Friday, Red Cross officials said Thursday.

The shelters have helped 117 residents who were left homeless by three fires that occurred during the week of January 26. The fires occurred in the Mission, Tenderloin and Alamo Square neighborhoods.

For two weeks the shelter has been open at The Salvation Army’s Mission Corps Community Center. It will remain open to affected residents for up to two more weeks. On Wednesday night 25 residents slept at the shelter. Since January 25 the Red Cross has distributed 87 comfort kits and sheltered residents for a combined 456 overnight stays.

Volunteer nurses and mental health professionals from the Red Cross have given health assessments and emotional support to 203 people. More than 150 disaster workers have been involved in the response. About 94 percent are volunteers.

Red Cross officials said community support has been generous. At least 12 businesses have delivered more than half of the 3,779 meals and snacks to the residents in the shelter during the past two weeks.

Those establishments include Tartine Bakery & Cafe, Bi-Rite Market, Delfina Restaurant, Tacolicious, HeyDay, Good Eggs, Sprig, Namu Gaji Restaurant, Bernal Cutlery, Kasa Indian Eatery, Arizmendi Bakery and Heirloom Cafe.