How to Donate Clothing After a Natural Disaster

Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wild fires, landslides and thunderstorms are all types of natural disasters that strike, often causing victims to loose much of what they own. One way people can help the victims of natural disasters is to donate clothing to nonprofit charities and organizations.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy boxes
• Plastic bags
• Used clothing

Instructions

1. Find a reputable organization that accepts clothing donations to help victims of natural disasters. Network for Good lists the top charities that help victims of natural disasters. Visit their website for more information.

2. Contact charities and organizations that help victims of natural disasters. Find out what clothing items are needed for a particular climate or culture. A victim of a hurricane in Florida will need different types of clothing than a victim of an earthquake in China.

3. Ask local schools and daycare centers if they are accepting clothing donations for a natural disaster.

4. Clean your closet. The most needed clothing includes warm coats, shoes, boots, children's school clothes, cold weather and professional clothing. Those who have suffered through a natural disaster need these basic necessities to replace what they've lost.

5. Fold the clothes and pack into sturdy boxes or bags. The clothes shouldn't have any wrinkles. Keep shoe, socks and glove pairs together. Don't include hangers in with the clothing.

6. Call the organization you've decided to donate to and arrange to either drop off the clothing or have it picked up. Each organization has different policies for accepting donations.

7. Keep a record of the clothing you donate for the natural disaster. It's deductible, so you will get a tax receipt.

Tips & Warnings

• For specific natural disasters, check that the organization you are donating to will be able to get the donation to the site.

Resources

• Visit Network for Good for a list of charities.