Sandy relief groups not so relieved by massive volume of donations

Superstorm Sandy's painful aftermath has sparked a powerful wave of generosity in what has become the largest U.S. relief effort for the Red Cross and other organizations since 2005's Hurricane Katrina. And while the flood of donations is appreciated, it has also contributed to what James McGowan of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster calls a "second disaster after the disaster." Why? Because donation sites are being swamped with donated items that weren't specifically requested — vases, clothes and lamps instead of food and bottled water. What this means for you do-gooders out there: If you want to donate, give a monetary contribution, which can be put to a variety of as-needed uses by relief organizations, or give food and water (if it’s requested by your group of choice). [Source]

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