SPOKANE, Wash. - s4story -- As wildfires continue to displace families across eastern Washington, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts throughout the Spokane area have opened their doors – around the clock in some cases – to provide meals, shelter, supplies, and a place to park for anyone affected.

VFW Post 51 in Spokane has become a central hub for the response, opening its grounds to hundreds of people displaced by the fires and giving families a safe place to camp. In coordination with the Department of Washington, the post has committed to serving up to 600 meals a day over the coming week, and remains open around the clock with overnight accommodations, clothing, hygiene supplies, pet food and supplies, and medical equipment. Post 51 is accepting and distributing donations throughout the day and will host a drive-thru breakfast and lunch on Saturday, August 8.

Deer Park VFW Post 3067 is offering meals, supplies, medical equipment, and limited RV parking daily.

At the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds – now sheltering hundreds of evacuees – VFW members are cooking and serving free daily meals for everyone displaced by the fires, an effort funded by the VFW Department of Washington's disaster relief fund.

More on S For Story

• New Children's E-Book and Learning Bundle Helps Young Learners Prepare for Kindergarten
• The Stars That Never Die: The Northern Sky and the Egyptian Afterlife
• RAS AP Consulting Expands Managed AP Governance™ Ecosystem, Launches Trademark Process, and Secures IFOL Speaker Invitation
• UK Financial Ltd Makes History: Chainlink CRE Circulating Supply Verification Goes Live Across Its Complete Ecosystem Of Nine Exchange-Traded Tokens
• The Garden of Eden: Myth, Memory, and the Search for Paradise

"When the fires forced families out of their homes, our posts didn't hesitate. They opened their doors, day and night, to anyone who needed a meal, a bed, or a place to park," said Frank Persa, Commander, VFW Department of Washington. "You don't have to be a veteran to walk in – if you need help, come see us. And if you want to help, we'll put you to work."

The Department of Washington will continue coordinating with its posts and updating the public as the response develops.

WHERE TO GET HELP

VFW Post 51 Spokane 300 W. Mission Ave., Spokane Open 24/7. A safe place to camp, overnight shelter, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, pet food and pet supplies, and medical equipment. Accepting donations. Drive-thru breakfast & lunch: Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Phone: (509) 327-9847 · Email: postadjutant51@gmail.com

VFW Post 3067 Deer Park 29 E. First St., Deer Park, WA 99006 Mon–Sat, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Meals, water, supplies, medical equipment (including hospital beds), and limited RV dry camping. Phone: (509) 276-5761

Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds — Food Booth 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Free meals served daily. Meet at the Red Gate. Prepared and funded by VFW members through the VFW Department of Washington.