DISASTER RELIEF: Charitable Giving

I am sitting here in my intact and fully powered home so grateful to have survived Hurricane Sandy with such good fortune.  Sadly, the broadcasts are full of endless devastating images of the aftermath of this natural disaster.  Just a few miles in every direction are people without power, people without food and supplies, people without access to transportation, people whose homes are flooded with a mixture of water and sewage, people whose homes have been looted, and people whose homes have been burnt to the ground.  In an effort to help these people I am reaching out to my small audience and pleading for any contribution you can give.  It can be money, it can be your time, it can even be your blood.  And in the spirit of broke and beautiful I hope to share some important lessons.

Sadly, there are those who seek to profit from the misery and devastation of others.  While I would very much like to reach out on a local level to victims of Hurricane Sandy, donating to an established organization or charity is the best way to avoid frauds and con artists.

Unless you are personally connected and can vet the person raising money, donate to a well run relief organization that is equipped to handle assistance in such extreme situations. With any big organization, there will be administrative costs, but at least you can be certain help is being given. The Red Cross donates 91 cents on the dollar to victim relief.

If you are in the area of devastation, distribution of water, food, and supplies will undoubtedly be appreciated.  Unfortunately sending these supplies to the relief organizations may not be as effective as the charity may not have an infrastructure or staff to receive and transport them.

Lastly, leave a paper trail.  When you give cash, it’s hard to track if something goes wrong.  You will need the receipt for your taxes anyway.  Check the charities’ background with the Better Business Bureau before donating to be sure.

Better Business Bureau (Charities):

http://www.greenville.bbb.org/charity/

The following is a list of organizations/places seeking donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Please note the many ways you can contribute.

The Red Cross

Donations will provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by the storm.

Money: www.redcross.org

Mobile: Text the word “Redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Blood: Donate blood.  Call 900-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.  Supplies are low in the most affected areas.

The Salvation Army

Donations fund the shelters and feeding units set up along the east coast to serve the most heavily hit areas.

Money: www.salvationarmyusa.org

Feeding America

Distributes emergency food, water, and supplies to victims in the disaster zone.

Money: www.feedingamerica.org or call 800-910-5524

Foodbank NYC

Gathers food donations from the local community and distributes them through affected areas. Local level.

            Food:  www.foodbanknyc.org

            Time: www.foodbanknyc.org

AmeriCares

Provides medicine and supplies to those affected by the hurricane.

           

            Money: www.americares.org

New York Cares

Distributes aid to disaster victims.  Local.

            Time: www.newyorkcares.org

Save the Children

Provides hurricane relief to families and their children

            Money: www.savethechildren.org

Mayor’s Fund

Raising money for NYC hurricane victims on a more local level.

            Money: https://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/donate/donate.shtml

Town of Hoboken

The town of Hoboken, NJ is literally underwater and is asking for help distributing supplies to victims of Hurricane Sandy at their town hall.

            Time: http://www.hobokennj.org/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-update-and-call-for-volunteers/

John Jay High School: Brooklyn

Helps disaster victims and collects donations. (Specifically seeking belts and clothing for men and children).  Local.

            Time/Clothing: John Jay High School Park Slope

Breezy Point Queens Relief Fund
One of the most devastated areas of the storm with fire burning down 110 homes.  This local fundraising campaign was recently verified by NBC News.

              Money: https://www.wepay.com/donations/hurricane-sandy-raising-money-for-breezy-point

Habitat for Humanity
Helps victims of natural disaster rebuild their homes.

              Money: Call 1-800- HABITAT (422-4828), press 0 when prompted.

Recovers.org/communities
Find out what relief is needed in the affected areas of Astoria, Red Hook, Staten Island, and the Lower East Side.  Volunteer opportunities and necessary supplies are listed for each community.

             Time/Donations: www.recovers.org/communities

I will continue to update this list as I investigate and vet charities and organizations contributing to Hurricane Sandy relief.  If you know someone who has started a legitimate charity in connection with this disaster, please let me know and I will add it to the list.  Please pass this post along.  Thank you for reading, thank you for your time, and thank you for your donations.