Why Only New, Why Not Gently Used Clothes/Utensils ALSO Accepted as Flood Relief Items
Mangaluru: The devastation by floods/landslides in Kerala and Kodagu districts has unleashed a wave of giving, with Good Samaritans rushing to donate various kinds of items, including non-perishable food items, and also provide shelter, and even financial aid to victims. It’s nice to note that everybody pitches in the minute a disaster occurs. There are amazing outpourings of generosity, of people volunteering their time. About 80% of relief donations happen in the days immediately following a disaster, but that kindness many a times can be so overwhelming that it goes to waste. Clothing and other items shipped to the victims of flood either gets stocked at some places and not being delivered in time gets wasted.
A better approach is to think about “the full life cycle” of disasters, whose effects can be felt for years to come. Victims need shelter, clean water and food in the hours and days after a major disaster. But far different problems surface months after flood waters recede. That’s when traumatized victims start to suffer from mental-health challenges, farmers need help regrowing crops, and mold starts to grow in houses that got wet. So the best way is to also collect money apart from items, and save it so that it won’t be touched for two to few more months. The money could be then be sent to relief organizations to pay for mid-term and long-term needs such as getting small businesses up and running or help rebuild homes who lost them. This kind of relief efforts will also serve the purpose, and will be “more effective and strategic”. Aside from poorly timed donations, charities face another possible problem: “Donor fatigue.” This philanthropy world term refers to a drop-off in contributions that can happen after givers get too many appeals for help.
Now one more thing coming to the point- I am not trying to be rude nor ignorant- what’s wrong in accepting gently used clothes or utensils or other kitchen ware etc. Why only the items have to be Brand New? Yesterday, I took few of my gently used clothes {some which were worn only once} and also a pressure cooker, which was used only once or twice, to a organization who have been collecting relief items for the flood affected people in Kerala and Kodagu- and when a young volunteer looking at my items, trying to smart said “Sir, we don’t accept used items”. Wow- Yeh, mister, you could be little polite in telling me, rather than raising your voice and making me look like a fool. Oh well, I said to him, “Okay young man, sorry, I didn’t know it. Anyways, I will hand over these items to a orphanage or a old-age home” and left. I went straight to a orphanage, where they accepted my gently used items with broad smiling face.
For a person being in US, and having volunteered with United Way-a NGO in America, and also with Red Cross during many hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Flood disaster in USA- no one has ever denied any gently used clothes or items when given to the disaster victims. There is nothing wrong, when a clothing or a utensil looks as new, that could be donated. So why all the fuss here? Don’t the people, even a few rich, during the weekend near Town Hall-Mangaluru but used clothes? People in USA, including stinking rich people buy used clothes during garage sales, and no one shame to wear them-once you thoroughly wash them, iron them- they are good to go. Lots of clothing and other materials were also shipped to Philippines, Mexico and many other countries when they were affected with floods/landslides etc- but there was no Compulsory Warning that the items should be brand new. Aren’t these flood-affected people human beings also?
Imagine a stainless steel vessel used a few times and with proper cleaning looks like brand new. So what’s wrong in donating such item, which looks new and is usable. Same way, even clothes- many people these with constant shopping at malls, buy new clothes, they wear it a couple of times, and then it lies in the closet- such clothing are good to go and could be wearable. I am not saying that you should donate used undergarments – that’s not okay, it’s rude. But gently used outer garments, should be accepted, along with new clothing, when people are coming forward generously to donate. You can’t insist and make a rule that “ONLY NEW CLOTHES/ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED”. That’s my point- and I hope you all will agree with me. People give it with love to people living in old-age homes and other care centres- and they readily accept such gently used items.
One theory on why people have been so motivated to donate? Unlike other problems in the world today, helping those in the path of a natural disaster is a situation where one person’s contribution can actually make an impact. Certain things really penetrate the consciousness of the public. As storms and bad weather become more frequent and intense, people who’ve donated to relief efforts may start to feel frustrated, because there’s a misconception that “if I just make a contribution, then things will be back to normal.
To be useful, ask whether your donation will serve a necessary purpose. Remember that you should only donate usable items. Dirty, unwashed clothes and worn-out materials can delay the sorting and distribution process. But I think gently used clothes and other items will not be a problem, and there are good chances that the flood affected people will accept it without any hesitance or complaint. I think its the organizers who are making too much fuss about people donating used items.
Before gathering any supplies, contact or look at the website of the intended organization so you can get the most accurate, updated information about what products are priority. Shipments of unneeded goods, while well-intentioned, can overwhelm disaster areas that have to waste time, storage space, and volunteers on disposing them. So anyways, look for an organization who would also accept gently used items- and if want to add a few new items, be generous to do so. It’s your love that counts, and not what expensive new item you donated. Thank You!
