Mariposa families who lost everything in Detwiler Fire are getting a helping hand

MARIPOSA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Food and supplies are being handed out by the local Indian Health Center, but they are open to anyone in need after the Detwiler Fire.

"We represent five tribes of Miwok Indians from Jackson down to Mariposa, and so many of our tribal organizations as well as our staff were the ramrods to make this happen," said John Alexander, of the Indian Health Center.

The Indian Health Center is run by MACT-- M, A, C, T, which stands for Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties.

In Mariposa, the clinic serves Native Americans and Mariposa County residents. A house next door was turned into a donation center, for anyone impacted by the fire, including evacuees who returned home after the power had been off for days and lost food.

"Mostly it was fresh things in the refrigerator because power was out for three days, well no, four days," said Esther Hibshman, affected by Detwiler Fire.

Our reporter asked, "So this helps a little."

Hibshman said, "Oh yeah it will help, any little bit helps-- I am grateful for this."

"Yes, it does, tremendously; it does, especially with animals. We all had to evacuate from Mariposa and a lot of the food was spoiled in the refrigerator," said Sandy Vasquez, affected by Detwiler Fire.

Dr. Ravinder Kadevari is the physician at the clinic-- several of his patients lost their homes.

"This is little thing we can help them get by for a few days, the community pulled through very well."

The fire is just about out, but the need for help like this will continue for days and weeks to come.