After tornadoes, junk donations become challenge

Source: AP

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Relief officials inundated with donations after the flurry of twisters that killed more than 300 people across the South are sorting through the broken toys and used underwear they don't need while hunting for places to store mountains of vital supplies like canned food.

Across Alabama, agencies are still encouraging people to send items like cleaning supplies for people clearing debris from tornado-damaged homes, or cash donations that can be used to cover operating expenses or handed out to victims. But with storage space scarce, most say they can't handle any more used toys or cast-off clothing.

"That becomes the disaster within the disaster," said Salvation Army spokesman Mark Jones. "When people make those mass donations ... it causes the community to be overrun with them and have to deal with that in addition to the storm damage."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110515/ap_on_re_us/us_southern_tornadoes_donations

---

Please donate money, not junk.

wat?

That is so disgusting!

They come with skid marks. Absolutely free at no additional cost to you!

:rofl:

Why would anyone pass on (donate) used underwear?

Why would anyone pass on (not take advantage of) used underwear?

I love the peculiarities of my language.

Never even thought of that and it took me a second to get it but thanks for sharing your peculiarity.

Used underwear works as dishrags, shop rags, quit patches, a shreddable fabric source for felt, etc.

My grandparents also reused aluminum foil until it fell apart... then they'd use the parts.

It's pretty much an indication of western wealth that fabric would be rejected simply because of prior uses.

Don't donate anything that you wouldn't hand to someone in person.

Idjits! :eyes:

I guess FreeCycle is too much trouble for them. (Best way to get rid of junk that you can't recycle or don't want to throw in the dump.)

for the people in need.

that says the Clinton's donated used underwear for a tax write off? If it was donated, I'm sure it wasn't used. Must be republicans commenting.

Camping equipment, raincoats, water, things like that. If your heart demands that you MUST donate a toy, pick something small, unisex, and easily washable that doesn't require batteries or a wall plug. New and in the box are preferred (much easier to transport).

Save your secondhand clothes for the local homeless shelter, and gently used secondhand toys are always sought out by local womens and childrens shelters. The needs of disaster victims are usually more immediate, and revolve around surviving until they can rebuild.

simple as that. so give your junk to someone else and make them pay to dispose of it.

its the American Way!