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Posted: 10/23/2016 8:35:51 PM EDT
[#1]
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster."
The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 8:52:53 PM EDT
[#2]
I've come to believe that when someone asks for cash its usually a bad thing
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Posted: 10/23/2016 8:55:42 PM EDT
[#3]
I thought this was common knowledge. If you want to do the most good, let them buy what they need where they need it. They often have discounts negotiated with manufacturers. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 8:58:04 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. wait 400,000 toothbrushes doesn't help? |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:04:14 PM EDT
[#5]
What they're saying is true. It's much easier to transfer $10k in donations across country than to ship the same amount of material.
If you have tangible items you want to donate somewhere, give it to Goodwill. Someone gets use out of it, and GW gets money for their programs. And although they may be right, FRC. I donate to Salvation Army and Goodwill before I'd give to RC |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:14:57 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've come to believe that when someone asks for cash its usually a bad thing |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:16:19 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. This man understands reality. Having worked disaster relief, having to deal to non-monetary donations can bog down the supply system. You have to collect, sort, ship and distribute bulky materials, cost to ship, warehouse, etc. does no one good. Much better to place orders and have only the items you need shipped to where you need them. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:16:32 PM EDT
[#8]
When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it.
I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:23:12 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it. I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:27:39 PM EDT
[#10]
Nope. But it makes sense. Charities frequently partner with other distributors for their purchasable needs. You can buy a box of mac and cheese for 50 cents and give it to them but it then costs them 30 cents to get it to the person in need whereas their supplier in the area of need will sell them the same box of mac and cheese for 25 cents. Physical goods should be donated to local charities that put them to use within your own community. For the Red Cross you are wasting your money/time and theirs.
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:29:10 PM EDT
[#11]
After Kartina and Sandy, I would never donate to the crooked red cross. Thieving bastards of sorts
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:34:45 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This man understands reality. Having worked disaster relief, having to deal to non-monetary donations can bog down the supply system. You have to collect, sort, ship and distribute bulky materials, cost to ship, warehouse, etc. does no one good. Much better to place orders and have only the items you need shipped to where you need them. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. This man understands reality. Having worked disaster relief, having to deal to non-monetary donations can bog down the supply system. You have to collect, sort, ship and distribute bulky materials, cost to ship, warehouse, etc. does no one good. Much better to place orders and have only the items you need shipped to where you need them. This is also why food stamps, housing assistance, and other purchase specific welfare are filled with waste, fraud, and abuse. People in need know what they need and will work toward those needs regardless of the restrictions that are set upon them. If that means selling their food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar for them to buy what food stamps do not buy they are going to do it. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:37:54 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it. I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:44:43 PM EDT
[#14]
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Posted: 10/23/2016 9:54:59 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryRemember their excellent handling of funds from 9/11? $35 million went to families of >$500 million received. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 10:01:22 PM EDT
[#16]
After the flooding in Baton Rouge, people were showing up with food to the shelters. His was good hot food and the Red Cross turned them away. Folks here were kind of pissed.
I should add that the folks had to walk offsite to get and eat the food. They couldn't do it on the Red Cross managed site. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 10:09:06 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I thought this was common knowledge. If you want to do the most good, let them buy what they need where they need it. They often have discounts negotiated with manufacturers. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 10:21:23 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
After the flooding in Baton Rouge, people were showing up with food to the shelters. His was good hot food and the Red Cross turned them away. Folks here were kind of pissed. I should add that the folks had to walk offsite to get and eat the food. They couldn't do it on the Red Cross managed site. It guess it wasn't logistically a cost effective way for the Red Cross to get the food to the people who were in those shelters.  Better for the Red Cross to receive cash, take over 90% in overhead, then help the people.
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Posted: 10/23/2016 10:48:20 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not common knowledge here, matter of fact, first time I have heard of it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I thought this was common knowledge. If you want to do the most good, let them buy what they need where they need it. They often have discounts negotiated with manufacturers. Not common knowledge here, matter of fact, first time I have heard of it. Not the first time I've heard this opinion; I'd like to hear what personal experience it is based upon. I have no special love for the RC. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 11:22:51 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. I saw the issue with donated clothing after Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf. Walmart parking lot with a berm of clothing. Trucks would pull in, drop a load, the people would come out and pick it over. Anything left over was pushed to the side to make room for the next load. Some of that berm was over six feet high. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 11:26:32 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Weird too,they just showed up while my place was burning down Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it. I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. Fire department probably called shortly after dispatching and they were close. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 11:26:56 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Weird too,they just showed up while my place was burning down Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it. I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. Fire Dept gives them a heads up. Unfortunately there can be a lag in the response, especially at night. If someone's house is burning down, the fire department calls the RC, the RC contactsbthe volunteer that's on call, they have to go pick up the response van and then find the site. After awhile you tend to get it streamlined a bit. I could get a 2'AM call and be on site within 30 minutes. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 11:49:14 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It guess it wasn't logistically a cost effective way for the Red Cross to get the food to the people who were in those shelters. Better for the Red Cross to receive cash, take over 90% in overhead, then help the people.Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
After the flooding in Baton Rouge, people were showing up with food to the shelters. His was good hot food and the Red Cross turned them away. Folks here were kind of pissed. I should add that the folks had to walk offsite to get and eat the food. They couldn't do it on the Red Cross managed site. It guess it wasn't logistically a cost effective way for the Red Cross to get the food to the people who were in those shelters. Better for the Red Cross to receive cash, take over 90% in overhead, then help the people.My guess is that someone on site didn't want to take on the liability of having strangers bring in food that was prepared in unknown conditions. I've seen some shelters allow food to be brought in from the outside but other do not and that is usually a call made by the person overseeing operations. One church in my area that has the ability to open up a sizable shelter, quit taking outside food after Katrina. While they were housing about 35 Katrina evacs just about everyone came down with food poisoning from donated food. |
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Posted: 10/23/2016 11:54:36 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It guess it wasn't logistically a cost effective way for the Red Cross to get the food to the people who were in those shelters. Better for the Red Cross to receive cash, take over 90% in overhead, then help the people.Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
After the flooding in Baton Rouge, people were showing up with food to the shelters. His was good hot food and the Red Cross turned them away. Folks here were kind of pissed. I should add that the folks had to walk offsite to get and eat the food. They couldn't do it on the Red Cross managed site. It guess it wasn't logistically a cost effective way for the Red Cross to get the food to the people who were in those shelters. Better for the Red Cross to receive cash, take over 90% in overhead, then help the people.Food has to be prepped to certain standards. They (Red Cross) can't guarantee food prepped off site meets those standards. Thank the gov and our litigious culture for that. ETA: Apparently I take too long to read and respond.
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Posted: 10/24/2016 5:39:34 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
wait 400,000 toothbrushes doesn't help? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. wait 400,000 toothbrushes doesn't help? Nope, and neither do the crotchless panties that your neighbor outgrew. I saw a news piece years ago about people on another continent with different values looking through a box of lacy underwear. The look on their face was priceless. 
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Posted: 10/24/2016 5:40:31 PM EDT
[#26]
Hookers don't accept canned goods, at least in the developed world.
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:05:56 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I thought this was common knowledge. If you want to do the most good, let them buy what they need where they need it. They often have discounts negotiated with manufacturers. absolutely. |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:15:09 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: wait 400,000 toothbrushes doesn't help? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I haven't seen the commercial, but from an emergency management standpoint, its true. In fact, emergency managers frequently call the flood of donated materials "the disaster after the disaster." The problem is the amount of work it takes to separate the useful from the useless, to sort it, store it and distribute it. I saw some news video from one of the recent weather-related incidents, and there were piles and piles of clothing on the ground with people rooting through them trying to find something useful, and generally making a bigger mess of thing. And, With cash, they can purchase exactly what is needed -- food and water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies and the like. The cash can be converted into vouchers for those affected to purchase exactly what is needed. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of, or a volunteer for the Red Cross. They pissed me off years ago with their excessive spending on executive pay and amenities. I worked in emergency management for 13 years and saw the results of the secondary disaster a couple of times. Tons of well meaning donations hauled off to the dump because no one had time to do anything with them. wait 400,000 toothbrushes doesn't help? |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:18:29 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Remember their excellent handling of funds from 9/11? $35 million went to families of >$500 million received. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Remember their excellent handling of funds from 9/11? $35 million went to families of >$500 million received. This and I am pretty sure the Haiti earthquake was another one |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:21:41 PM EDT
[#30]
Quoted: Basically it went something like this... Do not donate medical supplies or non-perishable food items to the Red Cross. It's costs too much to get those to the people who need it. Instead, how about you give us cash, so we can buy medical supplies and non-perishable food items for those in need. Once again, do not donate your stash, DONATE CASH!!!! I'm trying to find a link to it but I haven't had any luck. Anybody seen this or have a link? They are all about the money. The Salvation Army does a 110% better job in disaster relief and they don't charge you either. |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:23:54 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Hookers don't accept canned goods, at least in the developed world. Actually some do in Asia. |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:29:18 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nope. But it makes sense. Charities frequently partner with other distributors for their purchasable needs. You can buy a box of mac and cheese for 50 cents and give it to them but it then costs them 30 cents to get it to the person in need whereas their supplier in the area of need will sell them the same box of mac and cheese for 25 cents. Physical goods should be donated to local charities that put them to use within your own community. For the Red Cross you are wasting your money/time and theirs. Donate that stuff to a Church or to the Blind people. I only donate money to the Salvation Army. The Red Cross left a bad taste in my mouth. |
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Posted: 10/24/2016 6:36:46 PM EDT
[#33]
Eh, I'll donate blood through the Red Cross, and money or supplies through my church's aid/humanitarian fund. My church can handle distribution of needed goods as well or better than the Red Cross, anyway.
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Posted: 10/24/2016 11:49:57 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Weird too,they just showed up while my place was burning down Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
When my place burned down in the 90s The Red Cross gave me an ATM card with 1500 on it. I had the clothes on my back and it helped my family out a lot. I volunteered for a number of years for the Red Cross A.R.C.H.I.E. team in my area. One of the most rewarding experiences in my life. For those that are not familiar with the program, they have two person crews that go out after residential fires. If need be they can put a family up in a hotel, give them a change of clothes, light food and we even had toys for kids. We could also issue pre-paid cards that had various amounts depending on family size. We call the Red Cross all the time to help with fire victims. |
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