OREM — Utah businesses are working with the American Red Cross, trying to do their part to aid rescuers digging for six men trapped in an Emery County mine.

"It's important to us to be able to take care of the community when the community needs help," said Dick Raich, store director of the Albertson's in Price.

The store donated picnic foods, water and utensils for the rescue efforts at the Crandall Canyon Mine. And they'll continue to donate as the needs arise.

"We're a pretty close community and we have people who are ... related by family or just by their lives with these people," Raich said.

The mine collapse happened early Monday and by afternoon, the Smith's grocery store in Price had sent sandwiches, water and Gatorade to the rescue crews and officials via the American Red Cross.

"Responding to local disasters is one of our top priorities (and we will) provide what is needed," said Marsha Gilford, spokeswoman for Smith's Food and Drug. "It's pretty devastating. Our employees said that they know people who are in the mine, and everyone is connected in some way. That's what makes this so personal for them."

That lunch was just part of a $1,000 donation from Smith's to the Mountain View chapter of the Red Cross.

"The community response has been overwhelming," said Katrina Pope, director of emergency services for the Mountain Valley Chapter. "Every time there's a need, someone has stepped in and filled that need."

Along with donated food and water, the Mountain Valley Chapter also provides mental health counseling if the miners' families need it.

"This is a disaster of great proportions," said De Anne Campbell, development director of the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. "Six people's lives are at risk. We will meet the needs as they come."

In the past fiscal year, the Red Cross's Mountain Valley Chapter sent crews to 35 local tragedies and three national disasters.

Just weeks ago, it set up a shelter for evacuees from the Salt Creek fire.

This local chapter covers 14 counties in central and southern Utah and is responsible for nearly 630,000 Utahns.

It's expensive, considering the cost to care for one displaced family for three days is approximately $1,800.

But with education and encouragement, Utah's generous residents will support the Red Cross and their fellow community members, Campbell said.

Each donation builds the Red Cross's fund, allowing it to provide necessary aid for emergencies like the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster.