I'm trying to figure out the best/quickest way to get clothes donated to the Astrodome residents. I'm thinking about mailing them to the St. Vincent De Paul store across the street from the Astrodome (I've got their phone number and will be calling them in the morning for mailing info).

I heard on the radio that the Red Cross has a 800 number for donating clothes and foodstuffs. I don't have the number handy and I have to run, but I hope that helps, Kathy A.

Thanks, Eddie! I was looking at the Salvation Army's webpage, but they are only taking money right now. The Red Cross it is (maybe I can drop it off locally instead of having to pay for mailing).

Is it just me or has Burger King gone a little innuendo crazy in their commercials. First there was the Coq Roq for chicken fries, now Dr. Angus is proclaiming: I'm full of sit! You're full of sit! We're all full of sit!

Michael Moore's essay:

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I'm trying to figure out the best/quickest way to get clothes donated to the Astrodome residents. I'm thinking about mailing them to the St. Vincent De Paul store across the street from the Astrodome (I've got their phone number and will be calling them in the morning for mailing info).

Kathy, after you figure it out and when you get a chance, please let me know what you find out. My church runs what we call The Clothing Closet. People donate clothes. Specific days each week, we open it up so that people in need can just come in and take what they need. We're always full to over-flowing with donations though, so I was thinking of approaching the women who run it, to suggest we send our current stock to the refugees.

Because we have storage space issues, we usually request seasonal clothing--in other words, don't bring in your shorts in October and your parkas in April. However, we could make a special push for summerwear for this effort, and I bet our congregation and town would respond well. Before I make such a suggestion though, I'd like to have specific options to present to the organizers.

I'm trying to figure out the best/quickest way to get clothes donated to the Astrodome residents. I'm thinking about mailing them to the St. Vincent De Paul store across the street from the Astrodome (I've got their phone number and will be calling them in the morning for mailing info).

Call the thrift store first and see if they need clothes.

Back when I worked for an NPO/NGO we dissuaded people from sending clothing to disaster areas overseas. The clothing would have to go by shipping container, which would take months to get to the area, and by then that need is met, so the clothes just get sold off for money. Sometimes, that doesn't even happen -- someone commandeers the clothes on the dock and sells them.

Not to dissuade you from sending clothing, since you'll be able to get a box to Houston in 2-4 days, but check locally and see what their needs are.

The SVDP website said that the Houston locations are taking donations, which is where I got the contact info.

Part of the problem with the Red Cross or someone huge distributing clothing is that they have all sorts of logistics to work out.

My guess is that if you send it to a guy you know, and he can walk the box over, you've eliminated a lot of those problems.

There's a woman here in the PNW who is helping organize a stuffed animal drive. On the 8th, she's driving to Houston to drop them off. "We are collecting new and gently-used stuffed animals, new and gently-used blankets, and new coloring books and crayons. All items donated locally will be driven directly to Houston and distributed to shelters there."

There are some Evil Bunny Alliance recruits who have been waiting for their fangs; instead, they're going to Houston to be helpful and (hopefully) consoling bunnies.