EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION

HANDLING CALLS REGARDING DONATIONS—some recommendations from the Massachusetts Council of Churches, based on information from FEMA Region I

Concerned citizens often ask how they may help disaster victims. Here are several suggestions of how you can help.

How Can Individuals Help?

When Disaster Strikes...

Everyone is moved when they hear the news that disaster has befallen a community. Disasters suddenly can change the lifestyle of a family, community and country.

Some helpful ways that people can help have been developed by the National Donations Steering Committee--federal, state and local emergency management personnel assisted by private voluntary organizations.

Emergency Management Officials are encouraged to contact their State VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) President (in Massachusetts, Will Leslie, The Mass. Divisional Headquarters of the Salvation Army, wleslie@use.salvationarmy.org) for up to date agency contact information. Callers can then be referred to appropriate agencies.

These organizations can provide information on what items or services are needed by agencies and how to make donations available.

Contributions of Cash - Often the Best Donation

Additionally, money can be given, earmarked for Disaster Relief in a specific location, through your religious organization or Church World Service (see www.churchworldservice.org). These contributions enable experienced ecumenical and inter-faith bodies to provide disaster assistance efficiently through shelters, meals and other emergency needs.

The most effective guidelines for sending donations to disaster victims are:
  • Monetary contributions allow the professional relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed most urgently by disaster victims and to pay for the transportation necessary to distribute the supplies.

    Donations of money given to recognized relief organizations are tax deductible and allow the relief supplies to be purchased in locations near the disaster site. This stimulates the economy and ensures the supplies will arrive as quickly as possible.
     
  • Donate Through an Organization

    Distributing the relief supplies requires personnel and financial resources within the affected area. When unsolicited truckloads of items arrive at a disaster site there often is no place to unload the goods.     In such situations, the goods may not be used, regardless of the need. To avoid this, designate a relief organization and work with them from start to finish.
     
  • Plan Transportation in Advance

    Do not assume that unsolicited relief supplies will be transported at no charge. Local trucking firms may be willing to help in times of disaster, if funds are available to cover part of the expense.

    Some volunteer agencies may have vehicles going to the disaster site and can deliver the donations or they may be able to identify other possible means of providing donations to the site.

    Certain precautions are necessary regarding inventory, shipping restrictions, and the warehousing of goods. Always work with an identified source to avoid transportation problems.
     
  • Donated Items Must be Well Packed and Labeled

    It is more efficient when items are properly sorted, clearly labeled, and ready for distribution. This should be handled in advance at the sending location.

    Specific content lists should be taped to the side of each box sent. This allows the receiving officials to determine what is in the box without opening it. It also helps get the donations to the proper distribution location in a timely manner.

    Food items, if needed, should be boxed according to instructions provided by the organization with whom the donor is working.
     
  • Small Items and Unsorted Clothing May Go to Local Need

    Relief organizations maintain prepared stocks of needed items, especially dry goods like clothing that are easy to store. These are usually the first relief supplies to the site.

    Unsorted bags of clothing and donations not needed immediately at the disaster site are maintained and handled in the locality. These often are sent to the site at a later time.

    The key to an effective donated goods system is to be informed before a disaster arises. Information can be provided through a relief organization.
     
  • Regarding volunteers

    Thanks to generous, well-informed and involved individuals like you, relief organizations can make a real difference in the world.

    Volunteers are always needed when disasters occur. It is important that individuals who want to respond to these situations register in the proper manner.

    Any relief organization that uses volunteers will have a formal arrangement planned. Plan ahead to attend training sessions and keep informed of volunteer opportunities.


    In a disaster, the volunteer center in your community maintains a list of where volunteers are needed and by what agency. It handles all of the sign-up procedures. This is a coordinated process which allows everyone to serve in an appropriate way.

    Response and recovery work is often dirty, monotonous, mundane and far from glamorous. Very little individual recognition is noted. Volunteers should be committed to work under such conditions and fit within plans coordinated by the volunteer agencies.

    This information is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

    • Adventist Community Services
    American Radio Relay League, Inc.
    The American Red Cross
    AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team)
    Catholic Charities USA
    Christian Disaster Response A.E.C.C.G.C
    Christian Reform World Relief Committee
    Church of the Brethren
    Church World Service
    The Episcopal Church
    Friends Disaster Service
    Inter-Lutheran Disaster Response
    Mennonite Disaster Service
    National Organization for Victim Assistance
    Nazarene Disaster Service
    The Phoenix Society
    The Points of Light Foundation
    Presbyterian Church (USA)
    REACT International, Inc.
    The Salvation Army
    Second Harvest National Network of Food Banks
    Society of St. Vincent de Paul
    Southern Baptist Convention
    United Methodist Church Committee on Relief
    Volunteers of America
    World Vision