The American Red Cross is closing its Coos Bay office later this month as a cost saving measure in the face of rising expenses and declining donations.

The agency still will offer training courses, emergency aid and other programs to communities along the South Coast, said district director Jim Caplan. The only difference will be those services will be coordinated from the office in Roseburg.

“People seeking services will more often talk to us by phone than in person,” he said. “I really hate to lose that personal interaction.”

The closure means two staff positions will be cut, Caplan said. The changes take effect Sept. 24, though the Red Cross will continue to store materials at 1165 Newmark Ave., until the end of the year. At that point, Caplan said, a new location will be used to keep items and teach first aid courses.

The changes will not affect the Red Cross’ blood services, which are supervised by different staff, Caplan said.

The Red Cross will lean on its volunteers more heavily with the closure, Caplan said. They will be called upon to distribute materials to those struck by disaster, and also to lead classes in health and safety.

Programs to assist active duty military personnel and veterans, will either be handled from the office in Roseburg, or by volunteers on the South Coast, Caplan said. The Red Cross assists military service branches in notifying service men and women when a family member dies. They also can offer loans and travel assistance to service personnel, veterans and their families.

The Oregon Pacific Chapter has its headquarters in Eugene, with field offices in Roseburg, Coos Bay, Newport and Albany.

Chris Pryor, executive director of the local chapter, wrote in a letter that Red Cross has cut staff from the Eugene headquarters and the agency has not filled positions at other offices as employees retire. There also have been restrictions on travel and delays to some maintenance work. Still, the group’s balance sheet has continued to come up red.

“In the past year, despite renewed leadership and new development efforts, contributions to the Oregon Pacific Chapter have been down significantly,” he wrote. “At the same time costs have gone up.”