Maybe you could suggest using all the best stuff first, and if at some point you run low you could consider using the imperfect pieces...or those could be donated to an animal shelter to help other less fortunate creatures.
I think it's always a fine line comparing what we would accept for ourselves versus what someone with nothing would accept, but then again it's not very gracious to ask someone with nothing to accept what we ourselves find unacceptable. I think the lady in charge is not being very gracious, despite her no-doubt good intent...