Originally Posted by Sadiemae
I think it is because the $20 rarely goes where it should, or may 50 cents of it...
That, AND I think people want to give from the heart, and give something that will last after the event to soften the blow of the ordeal during the post-event recovery period. While someone might be hungry or thirsty in the aftermath, they also want to old something to receive physical, emotional and psychological comfort.
I think the rationale is very similar to giving quilts to terminally ill or high risk newborns/babies/toddlers/kids - the parents have the quilt after the child crosses over to comfort them.