After suggestions/ideas on what you would donate/give to a family who have lost everything in a house fire?

Question

The second hand information I have been given is their place was gutted.

Would you give toiletries (toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes), spare clothes, kitchen/pantry items, money for bread/milk????

Answer 1

I wouldnt give money unless a fund was made up for them

Otherwise foods, clothing is acceptable

Answer 2

The most basic needs are food and shelter.  Most people will not be able/willing to provide these, and will instead opt for something inexpensive and easy.  The reality is that most people in these situations don't get the help they really need, and instead get gifts they can't really use.  

If you can't offer a place to stay or prepared meals, buy a gift certificate to WalMart, Target or similar.  That way the gift is guaranteed to help them.

Answer 3

I would give them money so that they could determine the order of their needs.  I think it would make them feel much more human also, to be able to actually buy the things they need.

I would also give them a list of things that I had that I would gladly donate (such as, table & chairs, etc) along with my phone number.

Without a clearing house for this kind of donation, someone could end up with seven sofa's and 400 toothbrushes!  So instead of burdening them with duplicates, I would leave it up them.

Answer 4

I'd go with a gift card. If American Red Cross got involved they may have already received some assistance. You wouldn't want to give them something they already have. If you want to do more than give a gift card you can always work with others to do a fundraiser.

Answer 5

First you should find out, if possible if they have a place to stay.

That's the most important thing they will have to face.

You will probably find that they have more than enough clothing and toiletries already donated to them, but one thing they will most certainly be short of is cash.

Most likely they will not have a telephone either, so either a phone card or a prepaid cellular telephone would be a big help.

That way they can contact relatives on their status, and would be able to contact aid agencies or insurance companies they need to file claims with.

Answer 6

To start with make sure they know of the help available through Red Cross.  Usually 1-3 nights emergency housing and a small amount for replacement clothes and tileteries as well as referrals to other help sources.  Then find out of Red Cross or who is coordinating help and keeping track of what is needed.   That will help you know what to give.  That will depend too on whether there was insurance, whether they will be staying with friends or family a while,rentiong a place roght off, staying in a camper or where.   One helpful thing could be paying a couple of mo rent on a ministorage if it will be a whle before they have heir own plkace again.  That way they'll have a place to put donated things,.

If there are pets then help for what pets need after fire (vet care, boarding, etc would be very sweet like a find at the vets) This is something almost no one ever thinks of.   Gift certificates to a place that has a variety of things (like a Wallmart),  Gift certificates to a local eating place.  

If the car was destroyed too gift certificates for taxi service or a transit card could be good.  

If you know their family and friends at all one priceless gift you can give is to borrow and scan in pictures of special famly occassionsor encourage the family and friends to do that.   One of the things people find most irreplacable is photos and other memobilia.   There is a man near us who has made several families the gift of a recreated family album.

Answer 7

I would be inclined to give a gift voucher, you can get them from as little as $10.00.

It is more than probably they know best what they need most.

Answer 8

My house burned down when I was a kid. Clothes were the biggest practical need, but it would have been nice to have some books or toys to take my mind off of it, too. I think would actually apply to any age group.