Toxic Charity #2.3: Problems that can result from helping others:

Sending/giving people stuff they don't need or want. After Katrina many churches and service organizations in our area gathered 18 wheelers full of clothes, shoes, etc. When our group got to New Orleans to do clean up and restoration we became aware that most of these things sent were moldering in warehouses. Unsorted, undistributed. There are several causes of this:

• • 18 wheelers were coming in from all over the country. Even if there hadn't been a disaster to occupy their time they could never have processed that much stuff.
    
  • A lot of what was sent was worn out or broken. They couldn't have been used.
    
  • Recipients needs are very specific items – size 6 etc. Finding what was needed when you didn't even have a place to live or water to drink would have been impossible.
    
  • If people are given the money or gift certificates to large stores (that exist in the place where the disaster struck) is much more effective. Giving to a disaster agency who make make things happen on the site is even better.
    
  • Even though people were “only trying to help,” giving people who have lost everything things them they don't want or need or giving them other people's castoffs, adds to their discouragement.