Salem Creates Relief Fund For Grafton Street Fire Victims

SALEM, MA — Salem residents looking to assist those displaced in a fire in a multi-family home on Grafton Street early Thursday morning are invited to donate to a city relief effort.

"What is most important right now is that the victims be provided with funds to help secure new housing," the city said in announcing the relief fund.

Residents who may have an apartment readily available for rent are asked to contact jmota@salem.com and the city will share the information with the victims.

Donations to the fund can be made at any Salem Five Bank branch or online here. Donations can also be mailed to Salem Relief Fund, c/o Salem Five, 71 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970.

Those donating should make a check payable to "Salem Relief Fund." All donations are tax-deductible and will be divided among the victims to help them secure new housing, pay bills or purchase food, home goods or clothing.

In lieu of donating items, those who would like to help the victims recover are encouraged to give cash donations, so individuals have the most flexibility in rebuilding their lives. Gift cards in even amounts for clothing, groceries, meals, home goods and furnishings, and personal care products and toiletries are accepted.

Cash and gift cards may be dropped off at the Constituent Services Office of the Mayor (Room 2), Salem City Hall, 93 Washington Street, Mondays-Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays 8:00 a.m. to noon.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)