Atlanta, Ga, August 6, 2026 — In response to the devastating wildfires in Washington state, CARE, the global humanitarian organization behind the original CARE PACKAGE®, is supporting local partners in the Spokane area with emergency hygiene items and specialized mother-and-baby kits for women, children, and families.
CARE is working with trusted community organizations such as Partners INW, a Spokane-based nonprofit that connects individuals and families with essential resources and services, and the Shades of Motherhood Network, which helps mothers and families through culturally responsive programs, advocacy, and direct assistance. With CARE’s help, these groups will distribute critical supplies — CARE PACKAGE kits — to women and families in the area.
Since this emergency started, more than 600 homes have been destroyed, and more than 85,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Currently, approximately 28,000 homes are still threatened by the fires. Many families fled with little more than the clothes on their backs, while others lost homes and belongings entirely. Beyond the fires themselves, heavy smoke and soot pose significant health risks to pregnant women, infants, and young children, whose unique needs are regularly overlooked in disaster planning. With many residents still displaced and facing uncertainty and loss, access to basic hygiene items, diapers, and other essential supplies remains a critical need.
“Our hearts are with everyone whose lives have been upended by these devastating wildfires,” said Sarah Thompson, CARE Vice President of U.S. Programs. “Disasters often place an enormous burden on women and mothers, who are caring for children while navigating displacement, uncertainty, and loss. Providing basic essentials means parents can focus on keeping their families safe, babies have the supplies they need, and women can maintain their health and dignity. That’s why CARE invests in trusted local organizations that know how to reach families quickly and compassionately.”
Local partners will distribute hygiene and specialized mother-and-baby CARE PACKAGE kits to assist those impacted by the fires. The CARE-provided packages contain essential hygiene and infant care and feeding items to help families meet their immediate needs and begin to regain a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of the wildfires.
The CARE PACKAGE kits being distributed were packed by volunteers as part of CARE’s nationwide CARE PACKAGE initiative, which assembles emergency supply kits for communities experiencing and recovering from disasters across the United States.
While CARE is best known for its global humanitarian work, the organization has expanded its efforts across the United States in recent years by partnering with women-led and grassroots organizations. In the U.S., CARE strengthens women’s safety, health, and economic opportunity by investing in locally led solutions that help women and families build stability and resilience in their communities. Supporting organizations like Partners INW and Shades of Motherhood Network in response to the Washington wildfires reflects that commitment in action.
To learn how you can support CARE’s work in the United States, click here.
About CARE U.S. Programs
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE PACKAGE®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty in the United States and globally. In the United States, CARE uses proven strategies and strong networks to expand locally led solutions nationwide. Since 2019, CARE has reached 350,000 families across 12 states and Puerto Rico.
For media inquiries, email usa.media@care.org