AUSTIN (KXAN) – Since the Central Texas wildfires started more than a week ago, thousands have donated much needed items to be given to those who have lost everything.

Nine semi-trucks are full of donations after KXAN and Wal-Mart teamed up for a donation drive for the Salvation Army .

“This is just starting for us,” John Welton with the Salvation Army said. “This is going to be lengthy process.”

On Tuesday, staff and volunteers will begin to unload six of the nine trucks starting at 9 a.m. Anyone wanting to help is asked to show up at 9 a.m. at the warehouse at 12317 Technology Blvd., #300, in Austin. The contact person on site is Michelle Packer from the Salvation Army.

Over in Northeast Austin, the Catholic Charities of Central Texas already have the needed warehouse space and it is full of donations for wildfire victims.

“We’re in a big hurry to get these items out because we are not in the warehouse business. We want to be able to get this wonderful charity out to people who need it,” said Melinda Rodriguez with the Catholic Charities of Central Texas.

The Catholic Charities of Central Texas say more than anything right now they need cash donations so they can buy gift cards to area grocery stores.

“There are a lot of people providing water and refreshment but no means to replenish their foods,” Rodriguez said. “So we are working to be able to provide gift cards to families that are going through the assessment process to be able to replenish their food.”

Volunteers still needed

Rodriguez said volunteers are needed to help sort through the warehouse full of donations. Volunteers can show up at warehouse located at 9204 Brown Lane in Northeast Austin after 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Volunteers are needed at the Salvation Army warehouse, 12317 Technology Blvd., #300, to help unload and sort six trucks of donated goods, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. They should check in with Michelle Packer from the Salvation Army.

Source: www.kxan.com