Fort McMurray fire: How can Calgarians help?

There is no question that Calgarians understand the importance of supporting each other through a disaster.

Between Facebook pages and federal offers to match donations, there are a number of ways to help the people who have been affected by the wildfire in Fort McMurray.

The province declared a state of emergency Wednesday after the fire spread to nearby communities.

As of 4:00 p.m. Friday, the fire had grown to 101,000 hectares in size, which covers more area than the city of Calgary.

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Here is a list of ways you can get involved:

CALGARY FOOD BANK

The Calgary Food Bank is accepting donations of bottled water, diapers, formula as well as non-perishable foods with easy open pop-up tops.

Donations can be dropped off at the Calgary Food Bank: 5000-11 Street S.E. (loading dock 3) any day until 7 p.m.

All Starbucks locations in Calgary are also accepting donations on behalf of the Food Bank.

CIBC

Financial donations can be made at all Calgary CIBC locations, which will be given to the Canadian Red Cross.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Samaritans’ Purse Calgary is planning to send volunteers into Fort McMurray once evacuation orders have been lifted. You can get more information on how to apply to volunteer on their website.

RED CROSS

The Red Cross is accepting monetary donations that will be put toward immediate food supplies and shelter costs for evacuees.

You can make a donation of any size on the Red Cross website. Alternately you can call 1-800-418-1111 or text REDCROSS to 30333 to make a $5 donation.

DOUBLING YOUR DONATION

The federal government announced Thursday morning that they will match all individual monetary donations made through the Red Cross.

WATCH: Federal government will match all individual Red Cross donations made to support Fort McMurray fire victims

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army is sending two response units to the Fort McMurray area to feed the 800 first responders who are helping battle the fire.

They will have their teams in place by Friday, and are requesting monetary donations to assist them.

You can donate to the Salvation Army here.

With files from Cassandra Stefanic

*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally included a section about the Calgary Humane Society needing kennels to help with rescued pets, but as of Thursday evening, staff no longer needed kennels.