LAKEPORT, Calif. – Thousands of Lake County residents are starting down a long and challenging road to recovery. The Lake County Department of Social Services (DSS) wants survivors to know it is there to help.

One of many programs and services available to fire survivors is Disaster CalFresh.

A seven-day enrollment period begins next week, and DSS will offer extended hours, including weekend hours, to help individuals and families access the program.

Disaster CalFresh is assistance to meet the temporary nutritional needs of disaster victims within a 30-day period following a natural disaster such as the Valley fire.

The program provides a month's worth of benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. Purchase of hot food may be available.

You may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh if your family:

● Lived in or worked in the disaster area at the time of the Valley fire;
● Had a disruption in income;
● Has damage to your home or self-employment property;
● Has disaster-related expenses;
● Has inaccessible liquid resources.

Apply for Disaster Cal Fresh Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, including Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, at two locations:

– Lake County Department of Social Services, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake, telephone 707-995-4200. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

– Local Assistance Center, Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, telephone 707-987-3113. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Adult Services branch of the Lake County Department of Social Services is asking all In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Meals on Wheels clients affected by the Valley fire to contact them.

Adult Services wants to ensure the safety and well-being of clients and ensure they are receiving the benefits, resources and referrals they need.

Lake County Adult Services can be reached at 707-995-4680.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Library at 21256 Washington St. is now open with limited service in the wake of the Valley fire.

The library is open Tuesdays through Saturdays noon to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library is closed Sundays and Mondays. The phone number is 707-987-3674.

Most library stacks are currently closed. Patrons can pick up items on hold, check their accounts, and check out new books and DVDs.

All other areas of the library are reserved to provide needed services for those people affected by the Valley fire.

All library fines for those affected by the Valley fire will be waived. Full library services will be restored as soon as possible.

Lake County’s other public libraries are open as usual.

Lakeport Library is located at 1425 N. High Street and the phone number is 263-8817. Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake and the phone number is 994-5115. Upper Lake Library is located at 310 Second Street in Upper Lake and the phone number is 275-2049.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

Library events are also posted at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Calendar.htm .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages residents of Lake County affected by the Valley Fire to apply for assistance.

Individuals and families who suffered losses as a result of the Valley Fire may register by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Registration is also available online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov/ and via the FEMA smart phone app at m.fema.gov.

The forms of assistance available can include: Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance (including personal property and other items) for eligible applicants. The process begins by registering with FEMA.

Registering with FEMA is required to be considered for federal assistance, even if the person has registered with another disaster relief organization such as the American Red Cross, local officials or churches.

Registrants with FEMA must use the name that appears on their Social Security card and to expedite the process, should have readily available the following information:

– Social Security number;
– Address of the damaged home or apartment and proof the applicant lived there at the time of the disaster;
– Information about insurance coverage;
– A current contact telephone number;
– An address where you can get mail; and
– Bank account and routing numbers (if you want direct deposit of any financial assistance).

FEMA also encourages applicants to call their insurance agents to file a claim at the same time.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Robb Mayberry works for the California Office of Emergency Services.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will meet Thursday, Oct. 1.

The committee's meeting will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakeport Senior Center conference room at 527 Konocti Ave.

The agenda for the Oct. 1 meeting includes reports from representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and state Sen. Mike McGuire, as well as reports from the Stonewall Democratic Club chair and the representative from the Lake County Democratic Club.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyDemocrats .

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In light of the extraordinary tragedy the community faces, the Democratic Party of Lake County has canceled its annual Legislator’s Barbecue that originally had been scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake.

The devastation and personal impact of the Valley fire on so many lives has led the party to make helping family, friends and neighbors its priority.

“Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone – sponsors, auction donors, local businesses, musicians, generous volunteers, and legislators – who are, now, helping our community get needed support,” the group said in a written statement.

They also expressed gratitude to State Controller Betty Yee for her generous relief efforts.

Sponsor contributions the group had received will be donated to Lake County Rising, http://www.lakecountywinegrape.org/ , and the Redwood Credit Union’s Valley Fire Relief fund, https://www.redwoodcu.org/lakecountyfirevictims .

They invited the community to join the members of the Lake County Democratic Party to volunteer their time through North Coast Opportunities, https://ncoinc.fundlyconnect.com/default.aspx . 

The Democratic Party also asked the community to support the local organizations as they do the challenging and vital work necessary to help families and communities rebuild.