Volunteers needed to help fill care packages, sandbags for Missoula flood victims

Volunteers can help the families affected by Missoula's record flooding in several ways this weekend.

Missoula City Councilwoman Julie Merritt said one group is working to provide care packages for families displaced by the high water.

Volunteers will be at Westside Lanes, 1615 Wyoming, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. They are accepting donations of gift cards for groceries, gas cards and cash.

In addition, individuals have expressed a great need for new or unopened packages of the following:

Diapers
Baby Wipes
Soap
Shampoo/Conditioner
Paper Towels
Hand Sanitizer
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Snacks
Gum
Bottled Water
Deodorant
Feminine Hygiene Products
Gas Card
Laundry Vouchers/Quarters
Socks (Men/Women/Children)

In addition, volunteers are needed to help fill sandbags to be placed at homes near the still-rising floodwaters.

As of Saturday, the sandbagging location is at Fort Missoula, 3335 Lt. Moss Road. The Orchard Homes location is no longer operating.

Volunteers can help fill sandbags from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Check in with a Team Rubicon representative upon arrival.

Volunteers must have current health insurance to help with sandbagging. The location is across the road from the Child Development Center at Fort Missoula.

Sandbags can be picked up at the Missoula County Detention Facility at 2340 Mullan Road. Filled sandbags are also available at C.S. Porter Middle School, along the sidewalk on North Avenue. The middle school is located at 2510 Central Ave., just off South Reserve Street.

In addition, rural fire stations in Seeley Lake, Frenchtown and East Missoula have sandbags available for residents of those areas.

So far, Missoula County has distributed 72,500 sandbags.