Heroes for the American Red Cross are desperately needed.

“Our Personal Care Shelf, makes basic hygiene items available to Mower County families in emergency situations and the shelf is empty,” Elaine Hansen said.

The executive director of the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross said there will be an opportunity to help fill the American Red Cross van on Tuesday with new items.

Full-size (newly purchased and unopened) items being collected are: Shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, brushes, combs, laundry soap, dish soap, toilet tissue, facial tissue, feminine items, shaving cream, shavers, cloth diapers, diaper pins, plastic pants, baby pain reliever, baby ointment, Band-Aids, and baby shampoo.

“We will be in the parking lot at Culver’s from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday,” Hansen said.

The Personal Care Shelf is a Red Cross program unique to Mower County. According to Hansen, the need has already grown by 47 percent over last year.

“We have helped 513 men, women and children since the beginning of fiscal July 1,” she said. “Last year we served 420 people.”

The personal hygiene items the Red Cross provides through the Personal Care Shelf are not available through other agencies. Red Cross service partners refer clients for this assistance.

Donations will also be accepted on an ongoing basis at the chapter office at 305 Fourth Ave. N.W. in Austin.

Also Tuesday is Culver’s Day of Giving. Ten percent of their sales will be donated to the American Red Cross Mower County Chapter.

For more information how to help fill the empty Personal Care Shelf, call the executive director at 437-4589.