Originally Posted by
bearisgray
that can be donated to a family or a community after a disaster?
Not a new topic or discussion - but - I think it deserves to be brought up again.
I think in many cases, money/cash and/or useful labor would probably be most wanted.
Many of us think "a quilt" - but for the amount of time and money spent on a quilt, how much toilet paper, laundry detergent, food, etc. could be purchased?
I also am concerned about money/cash being used the way it "should" be, but - as others have said - if one does due diligence before donating, all one can do is hope that it is used in a meaningful way for the people it was meant for.
And - are we really doing anyone a favor when we are "donating" stuff that is one step away from our trash?
There was a terrible fire in Northern Alberta a few years ago. 90,000 people were evacuated and many homes lost. Although donations off all sorts came, it was a huge challenge to warehouse and distribute things to families who were spread over many towns and cities. Cash allowed relief agencies, Churches etc, so purchase food, water, cots or at least foamies for the floors of gyms, community centres and other places.
Many donations of clothes, arrived, but it was a distribution nightmare.
When wildfires caused a large evacuation in BC, the SPCA requested pet crates, food, leashes, bowls etc and local SPCA's around the province collected the donations and they were put the good use at the animal relief centre.
I am lucky to have not faced such losses, but I think it is unreasonable to ask a person what they need when they have just lost everything. They both need everything, but also truly are not in the head space to know what they need immediately