Disaster after the disaster: Unwanted donations

[ThoughtCriminal]

Remember Romney's "Relief Event"?

http://news.yahoo.com/disaster-disaster-unwanted-donations-195133149.html

It's a common quandary after natural disasters displace lots of people and destroy homes and possessions. Relief groups need very specific things, along with cash and organization. Instead, they get vases and vacuum cleaners, or interference from well-intentioned volunteers who think they're helping but are just hindering efforts.

Ad hoc relief groups need to make sure they are taking in only items that are requested and can be distributed. Money is the best because organizations don't have to pay to move it and can tailor spending to changing needs, McGowan said. Transporting and distributing a simple donated can of food can be $15 to $25.

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[hollysmom]

1. Well, I watned to donate clean sheets that were only used once and a quilt that sat on a be and was

I was told it had to be new and wrapped. Function did not matter. MY mother had a winter coat she never ware- there were still tags on it, they do not want it. I have damage from the storm that has to be repaired as well, and am cashpoor right now, (and I have not even seen what happened to the small room at the beach have been told it is totaled and I have to pay to get it hauled off.

I can't donate cash right now, but because some people donate trash, I can't donate lightly used stuff. I have drinking glasses I never used, but because they did not come in a box, I can't donate them. Ditto plates, etc.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Here is the deal

Right now, the majority of resources from the various agencies are being directed to the storm damaged areas.

Which means, that your local agencies are going to be strapped.

If you want to help, donate these items to your local agencies who can direct them to local folks who are in need. They can accommodate the items easily and will be appreciative.

It might not being directly helping the storm relief efforts, but it is helping indirectly by allowing the agencies to put MORE relief elsewhere.

[sabrina 1]

4. Look for the Community Centers and OWS volunteers who are in all of the worst areas

right now and have been from the beginning. I am donating directly to them, not the Red Cross anymore after Haiti frankly.

Giving money to the activists on the ground means all of it goes directly to the victims with no administrative costs or red tape.

Reports are saying that OWS has outperformed the Red Cross in some of the worst hit areas.

They will not turn down the kind of donations you tried to make, nor are the people who need them turning them down.

Just stay away from the big, corporate organizations and go directly to where people are the volunteers.

[hollysmom]

5. I was donating to a town group that is supplying a shelter down south Jersey.

It if for people who have no homes and have lost everything.

Iused to donate to the family center resale house, but I found they were taking my stuff for themselves when it was the best qulity, i.e. silk suits, etc. rather than selling them and supplying the local shelters. You have to be careful of some charity workers who think they "deserve it"

You have to understand, I am in a house packed of stuff because when working, if I saw something nice, I would just buy it. Now, I need to get rid of stuff before I die (no one wants to be my executor because my attic and cellar are packed). I have 4 sets of dishes some are Christmas only dishes so have only been used a few times. I have wine glasses because I used to have parties for 50 people, don't even know 50 people anymore I have no need for so many things. They did take the quilt on the second try, but refused the sheets, mattress pad (never used but washed) and barely used pillows. I rarely had guests at the beach, but had to have the bed made up in case someone did drop by. It is not like I live in a hoarder house where you can't walk thought the rooms, but rather that my attic and cellar and garage are full.

Note, they did take my old blood pressure machine, since I brought the one back from the beach before the storm (just in case) and had 2 old machines and would have taken my used inflatable mattress if I had not left the batteries in and it ruined the pump.

[Horse with no Name]

3. He would have been held in high regard had he collected in these locations

and left them locally.

[hedgehog]

6. There is an ongoing invisible (or at least unseen and ignored) disaster

going on in just about every town, city and suburb in this country today. The poverty level stands somewhere around 16% today, and plenty of people are closer to that than they'd like to be! If you have things to donate, donate to your local Good Will, Rescue Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities or Salvation Army store. They're set up to sort and re-sell the goods. (Caveat: some people won't donate to the Salvation Army because of its stand against gays and lesbians. I suppose the same should apply to St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic charities). Check with your local food pantry to see what they need.