American Red Cross
123 Main Street
Vera Cruz, CA 94224
(888) 335-4000

Contact: Heather Moore
             Public Relations Director
             (888) 336-4014

For Immediate Release

Red Cross Needs Additional Supplies

VERA CRUZ (Nov. 9, 1998) - The last 40 hours have taken a toll not only on the community but also on Vera Cruz's American Red Cross. With 6,000 permanently homeless and 12,000 temporarily homeless victims, demand for food, shelter, blood and blankets is outstripping the Red Cross's ability to give aid.

''We've served well over 5,000 meals and 10,000 gallons of water since the earthquake,'' said Regional Red Cross director John James, ''and we've several thousand meals to go. We'll take any food donations we can get.''

With 892 fatalities and 3,833 injuries as a result of the quake, the Red Cross is also in desperate need of blood donors. Donors can go to Smokey Bear Park, Bear Park High School or the Red Cross headquarters, at 123 Main Street, to give blood, said James.

The Red Cross is helping to satisfy food and shelter needs at Smokey Bear Park, where they have set up tents as temporary housing. An additional 1,000 are being housed at Bear Park High School.

If someone you know has been displaced by the earthquake, you can contact them via the Red Cross message hotline (1-888-555-1111) by leaving them a message on the system.

For donations of blankets, food (especially non-perishable) or other staples, contact the American Red Cross directly at (888) 336-4000.