The American Red Cross is desperate for donations after exhausting its relief fund last month.
The Red Cross spent about $50,000 -- most of May's budget and part of June's -- helping victims of the Cockrell Hill fire that killed three people and left more than 100 homeless.
"When the fire department called for the Red Cross early Saturday morning because of a four-alarm fire in Cockrell Hill, there was no way of knowing then how desperately the residents would need the organization, and how the Red Cross would need the community to help replace a depleted disaster relief fund," spokeswoman Anita Foster said in a news release. "The devastating nature of the fire required every available Red Cross resource, so the organization is asking those in the local community to help replace depleted funds by making a financial donation to your local Red Cross chapter."
The Dallas Area Chapter normally spends $60,000 per month on fire-related relief efforts. The Chisholm Trail Chapter in Fort Worth spends approximately $20,00.
"We are still short $50,000, and if we don't make that up, the deficit grows to the point where we could be in real trouble when the next big disaster strikes," spokeswoman Anita Foster said in a news release.
The contributions allow the relief organizations to arrive at the scene of a tragedy with a fully stocked aid vehicle and well-trained volunteers. Donations also pay for meals, snacks and water in shelters, as well as shelter supplies.
"If that repeats itself over and over again in a cycle, then unfortunately, we have to ask ourselves about which services a fire victim isn't going to receive," Foster said.
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Jose Moreno, who lost everything in Saturday's massive fire, said the Red Cross has made life bearable.
"The Red Cross has been really, really helpful with every need these people got, with shelter, food, clothes, food, everything they need," he said. "There is not one thing they ask for that they don't get."
To make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross, go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
NBC DFW's Grant Stinchfield contributed to this report.
