My school’s BSU is trying to start a clothing and food drive for those affected by the eartquake in Haiti, and the American Red Cross is only taking monetary donations. Where could I send the donations we collect? Or where could I find an organization that IS collecting food and clothing for the victims of the earthquake? I live in San Bernardino, CA, so I’m hoping for something super local (furthest we can go is Los Angeles). Best answer gets 10 points!!! Thanks in advance!
You don’t.
It would cost more to ship the donated food and clothing to Haiti than it would to buy the stuff locally. In addition, donated food and clothing competes with local merchants – putting them out of business and increasing the number of people dependant on aid.
This is why money is the preferred method. It costs little or nothing to transport and provides a local boost to the economy as the money is spent with the local merchants.
Another advantage of allowing people to buy what they need is that they generally know what they need better than you do.
Edit: Haiti just like other ‘third world’ countries has local merchants and markets. How do you think that people bought and sold stuff before the earthquake?
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February 14th, 2010 at 2:05 am
You don’t.
It would cost more to ship the donated food and clothing to Haiti than it would to buy the stuff locally. In addition, donated food and clothing competes with local merchants – putting them out of business and increasing the number of people dependant on aid.
This is why money is the preferred method. It costs little or nothing to transport and provides a local boost to the economy as the money is spent with the local merchants.
Another advantage of allowing people to buy what they need is that they generally know what they need better than you do.
Edit: Haiti just like other ‘third world’ countries has local merchants and markets. How do you think that people bought and sold stuff before the earthquake?
.
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Do you really think that somebody is going to want somebody’s old underwear?
February 14th, 2010 at 2:48 am
I am sure there is an organization you could contact. In response to the first answer, countries like Haiti that are considered a 3rd World Country. There aren’t any "local" merchants because they are simply that poor. A friend of mine went over there to help about 2 yrs ago (Military) and the children over there have little to NO clothing. So I am almost certain there are going to be collections going on. This earthquake devastated and shut down any and all Hospitals there, the likelihood of there being a merchant still standing is slim to none. Contact a church, that might be your best bet.
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February 14th, 2010 at 3:37 am
That’s true! The second answer is the most reasonable. Please, go on and donate whatever you can to these people. And for sure they won’t care if the clothes are used or not. I’m still looking for that answer myself. Don’t give up! God bless you!
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February 14th, 2010 at 4:15 am
Salvation Army. Or the ARC.
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February 14th, 2010 at 4:45 am
Just found this:
HELPING HANDS 4 HAITI
You can drop off infant/child/adult shoes and clothing (including socks, undergarments, sheets, blankets etc) at these three locations:
* 1881 Walnut St La Verne, Ca 91750 (Drop off anytime)
* Universal Lofts -3450 Cahuenga Blvd West 90068, Los Angeles Ca Loft #603 (Between hours of 10am-6pm)
* 28649 Vista Madera, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275 (Drop Off anytime)
Contact information: Dina Joseph
* Phone: (310) 467-7485
* Twitter: JodiJos
* Facebook: Jodi Joe
References :
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/feature?section=weather/earthquake_center&id=7216870
February 14th, 2010 at 5:22 am
I think a lot of us who have no $ to donate are wondering this. I don’t have much but what I can give are clothes that don’t fit my children anymore.
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February 14th, 2010 at 5:34 am
please please donnot be discouraged, the salvation army are taking donation of food and clothes. I am a 25 year old HAITIAN student in atlanta, I came here in 1997 when I was 12 years old and my friend I must tell you that for some people WHO don’t have ANYthing, your old t-shirt and shoes are essential and very important. The people in the market selling clothes at the moment will either wear the little they have or give it away or cover the dead with it ok…plus we must realized that its not a 100 people affected, it is the whole country including its government. so thank you for your concerns and donations. as we speak 1-15-2010 both of my grandmothers are sleeping in the street. think about that before making comments about what Haiti needs and dont need.please share with us what you can and I guarantee you my friend….what you cause someone else to experience you also shall experience. thank you.
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February 14th, 2010 at 6:05 am
Unfortunately i called the salvation army & the red cross & the salvation army said although they would love to take for haiti they dod not have clearance right now so the best way is to donate money . I called the Red cross and they are not talking food or clothes at this time either cash is best. But I have so much stuff i collected from friends and from work that im still gonna send & although it wont get there immediately it will get there one day soon & thats what really matters. Im still searching as well.
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February 14th, 2010 at 6:36 am
HELPING HANDS 4 HAITI
You can drop off infant/child/adult shoes and clothing (including socks, undergarments, sheets, blankets etc) at these three locations:
1881 Walnut St La Verne, Ca 91750 (Drop off anytime)
Universal Lofts -3450 Cahuenga Blvd West 90068, Los Angeles Ca Loft #603 (Between hours of 10am-6pm)
28649 Vista Madera, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275 (Drop Off anytime)
Contact information: Dina Joseph
Phone: (310) 467-7485
Twitter: JodiJos
Facebook: Jodi Joe
References :
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/feature?section=weather/earthquake_center&id=7216870
February 14th, 2010 at 6:47 am
I have been told that UPS is shipping anything under 50LBS for free to Haiti. You can send food,clothes or shoes. Also, American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. The number to call is 212-697-9767. The Red Cross Creole speaking volunteers for a 24 hour phone bank. Call Mr Wilfred at 305-776-6900. I hope this helps! He can probably answer the questions that you have or lead you in the right direction..
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February 14th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Today January 15,2010 UPS will be shipping all packages under 50lbs to Haiti free of charge.
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February 14th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I suggest to anyone wanting to do a clothing, food or other "items" type of drive to help Haiti that they call the organizations BEFORE they start collecting things to ensure you have an avenue to get the donations to Haiti. Many organizations can’t accept things because of the lack of storage, personnel to sort, wash, package and ship the items. The cost of shipping tons of items is enormous…and no UPS is not shipping for free–that is someone’s sick sense of humor at work!! Plan ahead, don’t just collect items and then wonder what to do with them…find a source first, then act.
As for monetary donations I agree with what was said before….money will allow people to buy locally and help their economy….you will find that the merchants who had shops before will be setting up again under tents, in the open or wherever and will be selling things again. God bless you all for wanting to help the people in Haiti — but remember there are also many other places, including here in the United States that need help on a daily basis, not just when a major disaster strikes.
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February 14th, 2010 at 7:54 am
I just called UPS – rumor not true that they’re shipping under 50#s free. They will, however, be shipping free for the Red Cross, CARE and Unicef. However, Red Cross not collecting clothing now as food, water and medical care is their priority.
Am looking for a site in Marin County, CA that will be able to transport clothing, bedding donations to one of the above agencies. Thank you.
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February 14th, 2010 at 8:03 am
I am also looking for a place to donate clothing or food or water. Our school would like to do a clothing/food/water drive but we have no way to get it to Haiti. I would be willing to take it to an organization if I could find one- we are in the SF Bay area (East Bay)- any suggestions would be much appreciated!
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February 14th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Everyone says the UPS is not shipping free stuff, but outside my UPS ship center in Manhattan, there were like 20 HUGE 50 lb. boxes and crutches that they were taping for shipment. When asked, they said that, yes, they were donations for Haiti, and that I could drop stuff off anytime….I’m confused about what is going on…
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February 14th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I am going through bankruptcy and foreclosing on my house of 35 yrs. in two weeks. I was planning to have a garage sale to help ME out because every little bit helps… I have so much stuff that either doesn’t fit or is from when I was a teen (20+) years ago that they are out dated …big time. It is amazing what you can find in your families garage.
Well, although I am losing my house I have my family and much more then the Haitians have. I would love to give my shoes (family of 6), clothes, blankets, etc. BUT I don’t won’t to be scammed. Has anyone been to the center in La Verne or Rancho PV? I have no money but if this will help someone I would feel better knowing I made a difference. I am in the South Bay/LA area.
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February 14th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Hi, I am student in Denmark, and one of my friends came with the idea to donate clothes and other stuff which we don’t need. I want to participate also, but we can’t find where to donate for the people from Haiti. An idea would be to contact an international delivery company and to propose them to donate their service of transportation (the chances to find one, are quite small, but you can try). Another idea would be to find second-hand shops which are selling stuff and donate the revenue. This would be a good idea, but it’s quite slow.
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February 14th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Hi there,
I’ve just found a church in Florida that was asking for clothing donations last year after the bad storms. They are the Chapel of Saint Andrew
2707 NW 37th Street
Boca Raton, FL 33434
561 483-8044
you might want to call first to see if they are accepting donations at this time. I have left a message.
Thanks and good luck!
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February 14th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Food and clothing will not get to Haiti even if Churches or other organizations not already on the ground are collecting it. They are collecting these items in ignorance.
Donating items to make yourself feel better even though all of the major organizations and THREE Presidents have stated it will not get there, is just a false sense of doing good that in the end does nothing but make you feel better.
Even if the air and sea ports are navigable (which mostly they are not) it costs more to send such items there then to get it from there and the merchants there need the money more than ever to survive. (I have worked in these rescue and humanitarian situations and know this first hand).
As stated by Obama, Clinton and Bush… donate money for medicine or aid or if you are a trained rescue or medical personnel you can be flown there as a volunteer.
The fact is… you can say what you will and collect what you will and donate away… but it simply wont get there. Money is the way to go… $5 $10… goes a long long way in a thrid world country
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February 14th, 2010 at 11:13 am
I am moving to another state, and am broke myself. I need to get rid of alot of things. Even bubble bath and toys for babies, clothes, towels, etc. At least I get get a good feeling if I can have these items sent of to these poor devastated beings.
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from my home? help me out here or redirect me? I oviously cannot affort to send it, or else I could afford the U -haul.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:43 am
The first answer doesn’t even make sense. Of course Haiti has markets and certain things like that but hello there was a huge earthquake. Don’t you think that those food places were destructed too? I’m pretty sure they would be! So many organizations have been donating food because they desperately need it!! I’ve actually read on multiple website about donating clothing. Just have to browse around. By the way, she never said anything about donating used underwear. Haiti is one of the poorest countries. They barely have any clothing, I don’t think any would care much of some items like shirts and pants were slighty used or not. Those poor people need everything they can get. Don’t be rude.
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