OCR Text |
Show 3,000,000 FAMILIES HELPED BY RED GROSS Distress in All Areas Met by Giving Food, Clothing and Other Aid. More than 3.000.000 families throughout through-out the nation were given relief of various types by the American Red Cross In the past winter, to aid them In their distress caused ty unemployment, unemploy-ment, disaster or other, misfortune. A major relief task, due to unemployment unem-ployment and other unusual conditions in the bituminous mining counties In twenty states, was met by the Red Cross chapters alone, or participating with other agencies. -In these 143 coun ties, the Red Cross aided 90.000 families fami-lies through giving groceries, school lunches, clothing, flour and other necessities ne-cessities to combat privation. .Flour, milled from government wheat , turned over to the Red Cross by Congress, Con-gress, was given to 15.000,000 persons . In the period from March 8 to June 30. the close of the fiscal year. Flour will continue to be given through the winter win-ter of 1932-33. and Red Cross chapters also will give cotton clothing, made from government otton turned over to the Red Cross for distribution. "The Red Cross faces the busiest winter since the days ot the World War," Chairman John Barton Payne said. "It Is organized In virtually every one of the 3.072 counties In the United States, and will co-operate with all agencies .to meet distress wherever found. The flour has proved of great benefit, and the cotton clothing will be given wide distribution." While carrying on nation-wide these unemployment and other relief measures, meas-ures, the Red Cross also was engaged In Its regular peace-time activities In public health nursing, service to ex-service ex-service men and their families, teaching teach-ing home hygiene, life saving and first aid. The Junior Red Cross, composed of almost 7,000.000 school children, also rallied to the support of the society's relief efforts, and the children aided others of their age in practical ways, formed sewing and food canning classes, and were of great assistance In chapter relief work. While the wheat and cotton were given by the 0. S- Government, no money was provided to pay for the necessary work entailed. The Red Cross will meet this expense of almost J500.000 from Its ' treasury. Citizens can aid by Joining as members of the local Red Cross chapter during the roll call from Armistice Day to Thanksgiving Thanks-giving Day. |