I need suggestions please re: donation

[lildreamer316]

I have LOTS of STUFF and NO money. I had moved into my mother's house after she passed (Jan 2004) and so have alot of clothes and doubles of things (kitchen & bathroom & bedroom stuff) This has all been sitting in what is to be my son's room because I have been to busy to pack it all up; also had no help. Two friends came over tonight and we packed it all up and moved it into the dining room next to the door. I have like $500 worth of stuff; and a big box of baby items too(clothes; sleep positioners; bottles)All the relief threads I have seen say to NOT donate things; but I am sure they need it. Question is to call and try to donate this anyway? I am sure they would take it but everyone is so busy right now....it would take the small sized UHaul truck to get all this out of my house. Don't want to be a pain to anyone. Ideas about the most EFFICIENT way to do this?

[Bumblebee]

1. Mail it to the Astrodome with specific instructions to distribute it

between people with children who need these items most?

[CC]

2. Might want to try the

Salvation Army? And if no one wants stuff for the hurricane/bad fed. govt. victims maybe look locally. There are people in need every where and if it is like 9/11 local charities will lose donations and still have people that need help.

[lildreamer316]

5. I hope to godness they will come pick it up

'cause I sure can't afford to rent a truck to take it to the dropoff AND the gas TOO.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. suggestion

You could go to the websites where people are looking for one another and have found each other. It should say where they are. The Astrodome is getting it's own zip code so people can get mail. Pick a name that has a baby, send it to her/him, and ask that s/he distribute the rest. Could work.

[lildreamer316]

7. Only problem

The baby box is so big it would take over $30 just to ship it by itself. I have 5 boxes that are 32x26 and 2 others bigger and about 15 smaller ones. I got BUNCHES of stuff.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. How about...

...asking if USPS will ship it at a reduced rate OR have a little garage sale of some of the items, and use it for postage OR maybe have a little fundraiser for shipping...figure out the costs, tell a few friends, get the money and use it to ship.

[chomskysright]

4. NOT THE RED CROSS: Carpetbagger Eliz. Dole was CEO of that

...and plus they cannot get past the artillery of the Armed Forces as they have NO GUTS.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

6. The reason people send ridiculous things like one shoe

I was working the phones during the Kosovo crisis and they were saying all this stuff was donated and I am pretty sure they destroyed it.

Hold tight and wait a few weeks, it takes time to process the people and their needs. When they come up with them you will hear where to go.

I donated a ton of really high end and barely used suits and stuff to a local battered women's shelter (and believe me after going there it was not needed) because they weren't accepting it for Kosovo. A few weeks later they were asking for clothing and stuff.

[Joebert]

9. I've got a couch, and some other furniture...

I'm just waiting for that stage to roll around.

I'll even pay the shipping or whatever. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, nobody locally takes furniture.

I'll bet there are piles of furniture in landfills because they have nobody to give it to.

[lildreamer316]

11. I actually have a furniture solution for ya.

The local Habitat for Humainity runs a place called the REstore and they will come out and pick up furniture for you. I already had them come pick up 2 chairs this spring. All my stuff is boxed though.

[Fleshdancer]

10. Texans are collecting items for the victims

A DUer up thread recommended mailing it to the Astrodome which is a good idea. I'm in Austin and have already collected stuff to donate. I can help if you want to mail it to me. Just PM me and I can explain how I can help.

edit: spelling

[Horse with no Name]

12. There are local shelters that are accepting stuff

you just have to research it.
In my area..if you take it to the Red Cross, they don't want used stuff.
However, Buckner House is specifically asking for clothes, toys, games, etc.
Find out where the shelters are in your area.
Call and find out which ones will let you bring the items there.
Good luck.

[LittleWoman]

13. Try to be patient and wait a couple of weeks before you act

It is likely that thousands are going to be homeless for a very long time and they cannot stay in the large shelters like the Astrodome for that long. There are already some efforts being started to get people to areas where they will be given housing and assistance for the longer term. At that time if they are set up in housing, there should be a local need depending on where you live for precisely the kinds of items you have. If this does not take place in your community look for groups that provide material assistance for people coming off homelessness or the local women's shelters, especially for the baby and children's items. Most of these groups will pick up donations and so you will not have to go to a huge expense to donate. I believe we are all very angry and frustrated at this point and we want to help in any way we can. Unfortunately in this situation the dire need will go on for quite some time, most likely long after the attention span of the media. I would hope that as time goes on there might be a site on the internet letting people know what is needed in various localities so good people such as yourself can contribute where it will do the most good.

[lildreamer316]

14. Actually

Its weird because I had been planning to donate all this stuff anyway; just needed some help to knock it all out (packing) instead of trying to do it by myself. My friends just *happened * to offer to help me box it all up *right now*. So the fact that I have it ready for the relief effort is somewhat of a coincidence....or not. Either way; it has to go. I still have a storage unit full of stuff to go through and a WHOLE OTHER HOUSE to take stuff out of when we sell it. Ak.