By June 30, 1931, the Red Cross had given disaster relief to 38 of the drought stricken states which spread over the northwestern states. At the peak of the drought relief program, more than 2,000,000 people were being fed, clothed, and given other help, and in all of the work more than 2,750,000 men, women and children were cared for by the Red Cross and many more would be added to its roll before the Great Depression ended.

Money was needed, and would continued to be needed, for the Red Cross’ program. Funds for the drought relief were obtained, in part, through public contributions, because of the magnitude of the numbers affected. The public gave more than $10,000,000 and the Red Cross gave approximately $5,000,000 from its treasury.

— researched and presented by Wilbur Bush, Gallatin, MO (2003)