09/09/2026
United Way of Amarillo & Canyon and the 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle United Way Helpline understand the frustration, grief, and uncertainty that continue to affect families recovering from the Stinky Fire. Survivors have experienced tremendous loss, and questions regarding how long-term recovery assistance is administered are both understandable and appropriate.
We need to clarify the facts about this situation because survivors and donors deserve accurate information.
First:
United Way of Amarillo & Canyon did not solicit, collect, or administer disaster-relief donations for these fires.
Second:
United Way of Amarillo & Canyon has not conditioned its assistance on a survivor relinquishing legal rights.
United Way has not asked survivors to withdraw from litigation.
United Way has not attempted to influence whether anyone pursues a legal claim.
Third:
Disaster recovery assistance does not come from one pot of money controlled by United Way. Instead, the United Way and 2-1-1 participate with many other generous organizations in our community and beyond to help meet the needs of survivors.
Our commitment remains what it has been throughout this response and recovery:
Help survivors identify their unmet needs. Bring organizations and resources together to meet those needs. And continue working until our community has recovered as fully as possible.
If you are a survivor of the fire and have questions or need help, please contact Janell Evans, Director of 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle at 806-316-6204.
