YOU CAN HELP: Regional relief effort for Tukwila apartment fire survivors

(Tuesday photo from @ZONE3PIOs)

You’ve probably heard about that deadly fire Tuesday at a Tukwila apartment complex. Three people, including a small chlld, were killed, and dozens more lost their homes and belongings. West Seattleites are among those helping with relief efforts, and Maggie forwarded us this announcement from the church coordinating it all, in case you want to help too:

Riverton Park United Methodist Church today announced it is expanding its relief efforts in response to the tremendous needs of the 31 families displaced in this week’s Maple Crest Apartments fire. The majority of families were forced to flee the 5:00am fire, which claimed three lives, with only the clothes on their backs and the entirety of their belongings were a total loss. RPUMC

volunteers continue to gather donations from the community daily from 9:00 am-6:00 pm, including Saturdays at the church, 3118 S. 140th St., in Tukwila [map]. The majority of families are now living in hotels and have identified the following items as high-priority needs:

• Gift cards for restaurants, gas, groceries and general retails stores.
• New or gently used laptops, cell phones and cell phone chargers.
• Gently used or new luggage with wheels.
• New linens or “Bed in a Bag” kits (inclusive of sheets, comforters, etc.).
• Small kitchen appliances including rice cookers, hot pads, microwaves.
• Sets of boxed drinking glasses.
• Shelf-stable, nutritious foods that can be microwaved or eaten cold, including vegetarian options. These include soups, pasta, peanut butter, tuna, coffee, etc.
• Coats for men, women and children. No other clothes needed at this time.
• New or gently used shoes for men, women and children.

Donations of cash for fire victims are being accepted at all BECU locations.

RPUMCC Tent Village Members and Community Organizations Partner in Relief Effort

This relief effort is largely run by community volunteers, including members of the RPUMC Tent Village. These individuals are taking an active role in supporting key aspects of the relief operation including receiving and sorting donations with other members of the community. They also play a similar role in supporting RPUMC’s weekly food bank, which continues to serve local families.

RPUMC would like to give a special thank you to Pine Lake Middle School Leadership Class and to Rotary Clubs across the region who have been generous partners in this relief effort.

8 Replies to "YOU CAN HELP: Regional relief effort for Tukwila apartment fire survivors"

  • Sam-c August 21, 2021 (7:27 am)

    Thank you for sharing the info, links, and info on needed items.  

  • Maggie August 21, 2021 (9:33 am)

    THANK YOU for sharing this information. I volunteered at the church this week and was so moved by the community’s generosity and incredible, largely volunteer, team spearheading this effort. Katrina, Kim & other volunteers are moving mountains and the displaced families that have come by can see that their community cares. Besides practical goods, as listed, these families need places to live. If you have an affordable rental, please reach out to the church. 

    • Christine August 22, 2021 (10:19 am)

      Hi, I have a few items and food that I would like to donate. I wasn’t able to get there yesterday. Is there someone I can contact regarding physical donations? 

  • Samuella Samaniego August 21, 2021 (10:05 am)

    Thank you guys for posting. Will prepare a load and drive down with goods and support. I have a lot of experience with 31 families trying to get by after losing everything.

  • Marci August 22, 2021 (10:13 am)

    Any chance you want donations from a garage sale?  We host a huge sale every year and donate what’s left.  There is a ton of useful items still and we close at 3 today.  

  • S.A. August 22, 2021 (12:18 pm)

    Is there a place to donate online, or an Amazon wish list we could use to send necessaries? I was able to send bedding and jackets and children’s items to Jewish Family Services for Afghani asylum-seekers arriving in Washington  earlier this week and would be glad to do the same for locals. 

    • S.A. August 22, 2021 (12:25 pm)

      Ah, answered this one for myself (by searching for Riverton Park UMC, clicking through to the Tukwila Food Bank they run, and then to the FB’s Facebook page – they can use volunteers to help sort donations apparently).  Online giving via Venmo or Paypal can be done here via Tukwila Children’s Foundation.

  • Teresa August 22, 2021 (3:18 pm)

    I dropped off some items from this list today and Kim said that while they can still use a few items on this list like bed in a bags, small kitchen appliances, shelf stable food, etc. what they really need are volunteers to come to the church and help sort through the mountains of donations. No need to call ahead – same hours as above.

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