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Why it's Better to Donate Money Rather Than Stuff for Hurricane Relief

Piedmont Triad Red Cross Executive Director John Hughes says while donated items are appreciated, money donations go way further in helping storm victim's with their specific needs.
This is a photo from a warehouse in Lumberton following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. It was being managed by a local agency in Lumberton and was not associated with Red Cross, according to John Hughes, Executive Director of Piedmont Triad Red Cross.

In the aftermath of a disaster like Hurricane Florence, we all want to band together and help those affected by the storm.

You might decide whether to donate money or items to help with the relief.

John Hughes, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Red Cross, says while donated items are appreciated, monetary donations go way further.

Related: The Best Ways to Help Those Impacted by Florence

Hughes says the problem with donating things is that it can clog up the system and actually take away from the work that's being done on the ground to help the victims.

He says the dollars that are donated can be translated into specific aid for specific areas. The Red Cross volunteers that are helping victims in the affected areas can relay the need for certain items, and the money donations help buy those items.

Hughes also says money doesn't require the cost of transportation or distribution -- things do. And it isn't even guaranteed if you drop off donated items that they will go toward a specific relief effort. When you donate money, you can choose where you want your money to go -- for example, toward Hurricane Florence relief.

Storage can also be a big problem for regions hit by hurricanes. If flooding is a problem, there's nowhere to put the donations. Hughes says in the aftermath of a hurricane, it's more important to shelter people rather than things.

Hughes says if someone presents donated things to the Red Cross, they won't turn them away. However, they recommended first going to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

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