How to Donate Clothes to Tsunami Victims
When the tragic news clips of tsunami victims become too much to bear, many viewers look for ways to help. A common and sensible train of thought is that the waterlogged victims need clean, dry clothing. In truth, most relief organizations serving those affected by a tsunami need monetary donations. The cost of purchasing items such as food, clean water and clothing in Asia for tsunami victims is actually less than it costs to package and ship boxes from the United States. Moreover, organizations can use cash donations to purchase supplies in the affected areas, which supports the local economies. But if your heart is set on sending clothing donations to Asia, there are ways to do it. Follow the steps below to ensure that your used threads make it to those who need it.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Clothing donations
- A local facility accepting donated goods
- Monetary donation to offset shipping costs (optional)
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Collect the clothing. Rummage through drawers and closets for clothes to donate. Sturdy jeans, shoes and blankets make good donations. Discard any clothing articles that are torn or worn. There are huge expenses involved in the distribution of clothing overseas, and it would be wasteful to send something that will be of no use to recipients. Take the T-shirts you want to donate to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. They are not worth the shipping expense. Fold all clothing and place it in cardboard boxes or plastic garbage bags.
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Drop off clothes at a collection agency. Most international relief groups such as UNICEF and Red Cross do not accept donated goods. There are some smaller aid organizations that have the cargo space and will take your clothing donations. Churches and community centers typically collect donated goods immediately after a tsunami or earthquake strikes. Locate a local facility that will accept your clothing. When you drop off your clothing donation, consider writing a check to the organization to offset the cost of shipping your clothes.
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Consider alternative ways of helping. There are dozens of relief organizations that will put your monetary donations to good use in South Asia. Visit Network for Good's Southeast Asia Disaster Relief page at www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/earthquake/tsunami122604.aspx for a comprehensive list of charities and a description of their mission.
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