(News release) – The American Red Cross will train new volunteers who have applied to help with the disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The training will be held 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at the Platte County Resource Center Auditorium, 11724 Northwest Plaza Circle, Kansas City, Mo.

The sessions will focus on training volunteers to work in mass care, with an emphasis on feeding and bulk distribution. Training will also help new volunteers know what to expect when deployed into a disaster zone.

Last week a similar session trained 57 new volunteers on sheltering. More than 15 of them have now been deployed to Texas, Florida and the Virgin Islands. Others will be deployed in the days and weeks ahead.

Those interested in being deployed are asked to commit to at least a 14-day assignment and be ready to travel within 48 hours of being assigned. Volunteers attending the training were required to be over 18-years-old and also to have previously registered through the Red Cross website.

Individuals interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer are encouraged to apply at www.redcross.org/volunteer.