Local Viewpoint:
Research where post-Irma help needed.
Days after Hurricane Irma walloped Florida and the Caribbean, millions are reeling from the storm’s aftermath. Against this backdrop, well-meaning people across the country are contributing to an outpouring of generosity that can be overwhelming — in every sense of the word.
After natural disasters such as Irma, people often unintentionally create a “disaster after the disaster” by donating items that turn out to be useless to survivors. Whether it’s sending prom dresses to earthquake-stricken islands or snow parkas to sweltering Central Floridians, these donations offer no practical relief to survivors. Quite the opposite, in fact.
With nowhere else to go once they arrive, these unneeded gifts pile up by the ton — literally. They wreak havoc on the nonprofits that are forced to spend valuable man hours sorting through — and often, disposing of — them. These logistics can add a crushing burden amid alreadyfraught circumstances.
After Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston, S.C., in 1989, the city’s mayor called me in desperation. The city had received four football fields’ worth of items from all across the country. The piles were eight feet deep and quickly rotting in the adverse weather. He begged me to send a crew to help handle the debris. This scenario was repeated, in similar form, following the San Francisco-Oakland earthquake; Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina and Rita; and many other disasters.
The problem of unneeded donations has received national media coverage, and fortunately, awareness is on the rise. Still, more education is key for wouldbe donors. Whether donating here in Central Florida or from somewhere else in the world, take the time to research the nonprofits on the ground who are delivering direct aid to survivors. Consider sending cash, which is the most flexible, versatile way to make an impact where assistance is most needed.
For those who want to give something more tangible, it’s best to donate items that are specifically requested by the nonprofits working in the trenches. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida will work in collaboration with the American Red Cross, Second Harvest and others to sort and distribute essential items to people who most need them. We will coordinate with other community organizations, as additional help will certainly be needed.
At Goodwill, we will focus on safely reopening our facilities and supporting our staff so we can continue our mission of providing job training and placement to Central Floridians across six counties. As resources allow, we will send funds, equipment and personnel to the hardest-hit areas across Florida, working with the other eight Goodwill organizations in the state. In areas where people are rebuilding, we will issue vouchers for household items, depending on community needs. Proceeds from sales of donated items in our retail stores will fund these efforts.
As our region continues its recovery, the generosity of Central Floridians — and those beyond our area — will be an essential ingredient to regaining normalcy. The urge to help our neighbors is a noble one. Channeling that instinct into intentional giving is what will help our community get back on its feet.