More help for Fallbrook residents

FALLBROOK … At Fallbrook's local assistance center for fire victims, volunteers put up two additional tents today to more efficiently accept applications for aid and issue electronic benefits cards, which allow people to buy food.
In the tents, they were able to set up 20 additional computers to register people for aid, bringing the total number of computers available to about 30, said Carey Riccitelli of the county's Health & Human Services Agency.
An estimated 525 families showed up yesterday. But because of the overwhelming demand for help, not everyone could be processed.
"We're seeing way more people today than we could previously," Riccitelli said.
Parking in front of the local assistance center was more restricted today because La Paloma Elementary School, across the street, is scheduled to reopen tomorrow. Volunteers were parking at a local church and being driven to the center in a county van and a school bus.
The center, at 341 Heald Lane, will remain open for four weeks, Riccitelli said. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, call (760) 731-7139.
- Bruce Lieberman, staff writer