GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – After two and a half years of service, the Butte Wildfires Distribution Center, formerly the Camp Fire Distribution Center, has officially closed its doors.

The distribution center was born out of the huge relief effort after the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the history of California, the Camp Fire, forced hundreds of evacuees to relocate to our area. The initial response and emergency action of Gridley volunteers eventually gave way to long-term recovery efforts, causing volunteers to organize and streamline operations to serve survivors in our area most effectively. The Camp Fire Distribution Center was the result.

After the Bear Fire took out Berry Creek, the center renamed itself the Butte Wildfires Distribution Center and continued to support vetted fire survivors with the rebuilding process, whether it be help with finding furniture, basic household supplies, food, or clothing.

Working with multiple agencies, the center’s Director, Lynne Spencer and a core of volunteers, most of them Camp Fire Survivors themselves, continued operations at the center until last Tuesday, July 27th. 

Gathering to open the doors and serve their fellow survivors for one last time, time tested volunteers John Heinke, Lucy Love, Larry Johnson, and Lynne Spencer (minus Sandra Graves) all shared similar sentiments of how they will miss the relationships made and the camaraderie shared at the center. Love says that potentially saying goodbye to friendships made at the center is one of the hardest parts of its closure but that it is a bitter-sweet farewell. “I will miss coming to the center,” says Love, but adds that she is glad to see volunteers like Spencer get a break, “She has been working so hard,” says Love of Spencer, that it will be nice to see her have more time for family. 

Spencer has been one of the driving forces behind the center, selflessly giving of her time and energies to keep donations flowing to survivors, maintaining the center and its relationship with numerous non-profits and outside agencies such as the LDS Church, Hope Center, Gridley Relief Group, Sewa International and private investors that have supplied and made the center a success for so long.

Somewhat in disbelief that the final day has come, Spencer says, “My heart hurts today after nearly three years” and that after so many heartfelt messages from survivors reaching out to thank herself and her team, she was moved to the point of tears.

Survivor Marco Diaz-Infante reiterated that the group of volunteers at the center are some of the nicest people you will ever meet, and that they “always went above and beyond” while maintaining order and keeping a negative element from pervading the center which he appreciated. As others spoken to, he touched on the relationships formed between the volunteers and the regulars that frequented the center and expressed that the closure “has a sobering effect, but it’s also good. People need to be weaned...it’s been long enough.”

Although it was its last day of operation, a line formed outside the distribution center and volunteers kept the doors open longer than expected because those in need kept coming, whether it was to grab a last round of supplies or say goodbye. The doors have since closed and any supplies or goods remaining at the center will be redistributed to support organizations and non-profits throughout our area.