Originally Posted by
Crispy_Frog
We had a local family lose all of their possessions in a house fire. They were devastated. There was an outpouring of love from the community. They were asked, "What do you need the most?" They said beds, linens, children toys...just everything. There was a staging area in a local warehouse. Donors were told to only send, new or "like" new items. We donated a never used trundle bed for the kids. My sister donated brand new bed linens and I had the idea to go with the bed theme and give them a queen size quilt I just got back from the long-armer. The family stayed with relatives for 9 months. The donations languished in the warehouse. The family was waiting for the insurance to finally settle with them. Once they got the insurance settlement, half of the donations went to Salvation Army and the other half went to the dump. So what is the right answer of how to respond to a disaster?
I guess it really depends on the family and what their stated need is, remembering that the need can change as time goes on. Friends had a fire in their house which is now being renovated. When asked what, if anything, they need, they say "nothing yet." I guess moral support is what they really need. Someone to ask how they're doing and maybe invite them to dinner now and then?