It is brilliantly apparent that people are thinking about Texas and Florida and want to help figure this thing out. People are doing anything they can, and that has brought profound joy to those in need. Texans have received love, encouragement, and offers of assistance from all around the world which shows us the true beauty that can still be found. People can be astoundingly generous and loving when they want to be!
Having said that, it’s time to share the hard truth. Take a step back and consider what these people really need right now. Some of the items that are being sent are the wrong donations.
Right now, and in the weeks to follow, a second disaster is occurring in the Houston area. Thousands of tons of donated items are arriving in Texas. According to Houston resident Angela Griffin much of this consists of items such as Christmas sweaters, heavy winter coats, lingerie, stained undergarments, and prom dresses. These well intended donations end up in huge piles and hinder the relief efforts. Texans do not need coats and sweaters in Houston right now – they need fans and bug spray. It’s 90 degrees and 99% humidity. Nobody needs lingerie right now as they shovel mud, scrub walls, and sort through their homes filled with beloved items that are now refuse. Rather than used undergarments, consider fresh, new underwear. They are a luxury.
If the items that donors have are all they have to give, consider selling them and donating the proceeds. No cash donation is too small. Cash is what is truly needed. There are many ongoing expenses related to recovery. Gift cards are also a great option.
What is the Second Disaster? The flood of unwanted donations, despite repeated requests for cash. Too much of the clothing ends up in piles that take up much needed space in a shelter or disaster area. Much, if not most, will be bailed and moved to already overflowing land-fills or as was the case with Hurricane Katrina sent off to another area or even sent off to sea.
There will be a time for clothing and household donations but it will be way down the road.
Disaster response worker Rebecca Gustafson says that most people want to donate something that is theirs: "Money sometimes doesn't feel personal enough for people. They don't feel enough of their heart and soul is in that donation, that check that they would send. The reality is, it's one of the most compassionate things that people can do."
According to FEMA here’s what is needed:
Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover.
Donate through a trusted organization. At the national level, many voluntary-, faith- and community-based organizations are active in disasters, and are trusted ways to donate to disaster survivors. In addition to the national members, each state has its own list of voluntary organizations active in disasters. If you’d like to donate or volunteer to assist those affected by disaster, these organizations are the best place to start.
Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Do not self-deploy. Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained to respond in the most effective way.
Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster - especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period.
People are generous. Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Gulf States can use all the good intentions we can muster. Just think carefully before sharing anything more than cash at this time.
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