'Whole community coming together': Local family and Girl Scout Troop organizes donation drive for displaced residents

After thousands of Spokane residents were left displaced after historic wildfires ravaged through Spokane, Desiree Dean wasted no time to rally behind her community.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Aug. 3, 2026

Scott Bennett and his son Logan 3, search through donated free items in the parking lot of Safeway in Spokane on Monday, August 3, 2026. The family had to evacuate from the Five Mile area on Saturday due to fire danger. Girl Scout Troup 2454 leader Desiree Dean organized the event.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Rosa Leija, 3, holds her dad’s hand as they look through donated free items in the parking lot of Safeway on Monday in north Spokane. “We’re staying with her great-grandmother,” Sam McLellan, Rosa’s dad, said. The family evacuated from their home in the Indian Trail area Saturday due to fire danger. Girl Scout Troop 2454 leader Desiree Dean organized the event.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
"I found underware!" says Brie Bennett as she gets a thumbs up from her mother Shana Zutter while looking through donated free items in the parking lot of Safeway in Spokane on Monday, August 3, 2026. The family had to evacuate from the Five Mile area on Saturday due to fire danger. Girl Scout Troup 2454 leader Desiree Dean organized the event.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Volunteer Michael Heath delivers donated free items to the parking lot of Safeway in Spokane on Monday, August 3, 2026. Girl Scout Troup 2454 leader Desiree Dean organized the event to help fire victims.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review