What to do with Donations

We have good news and bad news. Let’s go with the good first.

Due to the generosity of people across the state, donation locations have been completely inundated with clothes, books, toys, cleaning products, household items, and so much more. The response has been over-whelming and totally awesome.

And now the bad news…

We don’t have anywhere to put everything! As we rebuild homes, affected families are concentrated more on building infrastructure: walls, basements, support beams, drywall. As the weeks go by there will be a need to replace everything that was lost, but for right now everyone is focused on rebuilding their home. Once they’re fixed up, we can fill them with all your generous donations.

So… if you can, hold onto the items. There will be a need and your donations are not unwanted or unappreciated. Just right now we have to focus on building.

If you can’t hold onto them, the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores are always appreciative and, while it won’t necessarily go to those directly affected by the hurricane, it will go to people in need.

For food products, your local Vermont Foodbanks are open to donations of all sorts. They have a network for distribution and are deeply connected with local communities. Donations there will get to the right places.

Again, your generosity is not unappreciated: it is so overwhelming that we don’t know what to do with it! You guys are great. Keep up the good work.

Matt and the #VTResponse team.