Making Donations to Disaster Areas

Money is almost always the best donation

Monetary contributions allow professional relief organizations to purchase exactly what disaster victims most urgently need. In addition, they allow relief supplies to be purchased at locations as near to the disaster site as possible. Purchasing supplies, particularly food, in the disaster area stimulates the local economy and ensures the supplies arrive quickly. Donations of money given to recognized relief organizations are often tax deductible. And, unlike commodities, there are no transportation fees for cash donations!

Identify the needs

Different disasters create different needs. Check with a relief organization that has personnel at the disaster. They regularly update information about what is needed and what is not. The widespread assumption that all disasters create shortages of food and clothing often has resulted in large shipments of these items clogging transportation systems and placing undue strain on the recovery system. Even materials in excellent condition may be inappropriate for climatic or cultural reasons.

Donate through an organization

Before starting a collection of goods to send to a disaster site, locate a reliable relief organization willing to receive the shipment of donated goods. Distributing relief supplies requires personnel and financial resources within the affected area. Truckloads of supplies that don't meet the needs of the receiving organization may end up filling vital space in warehouses or being left in an empty lot, eventually becoming part of the garbage removed during the cleanup phase.

Plan transportation in advance

Don't assume supplies will be transported at no charge. Local trucking firms may be willing to help if funds are available to cover part of the expense. Volunteer agencies may have trucks going to the disaster site that can take donations or they may be able to identify another group that is putting together supplies so expenses can be shared.

Have the following information when trying to arrange transportation:

A point of contact at the disaster area.
Verification of storage facilities including special storage needs such as refrigeration.
Verification of personnel to offload at the disaster location.
An inventory of goods to be transported.
The approximate weight of the total load to be transported.

Pack items well and label boxes clearly

Use strong boxes, sized for a single person to carry. If on pallets, make sure the receiving warehouse has unloading equipment. Sort and clearly label items to facilitate distribution. Tape specific content lists to the side of each box. This allows officials to quickly determine what the box contains without opening it. Food is generally distributed in family packs containing only one or two meals per bag. Food donations in smaller packages (cans) are preferred to bulk packaging, unless donations are to an agency involved with mass feeding. Pack clothing in separate boxes according to gender, size, and season.

Use small amounts locally

Some groups may spontaneously collect miscellaneous items for the victims. If these donations are unable to be handled as recommended, consider giving them to a local charity, homeless shelter, or food bank. That will assure their being used by those in need.

Remember:

Money is almost always the best donation
Contact a trusted agency and make the offer of money, goods or services you wish to donate. They will do their best to help you help the victims of a disaster.
Thanks to people like you - generous, well informed, and involved - relief organizations can make a real difference in the world.

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