By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
A 6 by 12 foot trailer delivered to the East Escambia chapter of the American Red Cross Thursday is packed with potential.
The trailer — donated by the Walmart Foundation — has enough supplies to open a shelter for 1,000 people for five days, other than the perishables and food.
Shelter supplies are currently kept in a storage unit, but several volunteers have to transport them to a shelter location, which can take two to three hours, said East Escambia Red Cross Interim Director Chris Smith.
Red Cross volunteer Johnnie Purvis said the Red Cross has been looking forward to the new trailer. Purvis began volunteering in April and has been trained for all of the disaster relief organization’s needs, including working at a shelter.
Among the supplies in the trailer are two folding tables, four folding chairs, 50 cots, 50 mats, a weather radio, various paper supplies, blankets, signs, trash bags, coolers and even bug spray.
The Gulf Coast chapter of the American Red Cross received a more than $70,000 donation from the Walmart Foundation for three trailers, including the one sent to Brewton.
Smith said Red Cross appreciates the support of the Walmart Foundation.