Frequently Asked Questions about Donations:

 What is the best way to help hurricane victims?

 The fastest and most effective way to assist families affected by hurricanes and other disasters is through cash donations to the Disaster Relief Fund.  All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.  You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to those in need.  Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).  Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.  Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.redcross.org.

 

Is the American Red Cross accepting donations of items such as food or clothing for the disaster relief effort?

 The Red Cross is unable to accept small, individual donations or collections of items such as clothing, food or cleaning supplies. The cost to sort, package and distribute these types of donations to disaster victims is almost always greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally, and it is logistically impossible to distribute a wide variety of individual items in a meaningful way.

 While the Red Cross cannot accept the donation of an individual item, you can support your community by donating these items to an organization that is equipped to put them to the best possible local use.

 The Red Cross may accept sizable, bulk donations if they meet the service delivery needs of a particular relief operation. These donations typically come from companies that can package the items in bulk, put them on pallets and ship them directly to the disaster site. If you have a bulk donation that you think would be appropriate for Red Cross relief operations, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.