THE KATRINA CLEARINGHOUSE - POST OFFERS HERE, MANY ITEMS LISTED

If you are here for the Been There Clearinghouse, please visit our new site: www.beenthereclearinghouse.com.

Donations for Families Hit Hardest By Katrina

As we thought about all the Americans across the country who are offering their homes to the people of Louisiana and Mississippi who've lost theirs, we realized that all these families are going to need supplies when they get to their new, temporary residences. Toys for the kids, clothes for themselves and the kids, diapers, formula, school supplies. Families who have lost everything are going to need so very much to get their lives going again.

We all want to help get supplies to them, but remember after 9/11 when tons of toys, clothes and food were sent to NYC and the authorities complained that they didn't have the manpower to distribute the items to the people who needed them?

Here at Been There, we want to establish a direct connection between those with things to donate and the people who need them.

To do that, we are setting up a clearinghouse for anyone who has toys, clothes or other supplies to send directly to families.

Here's how it works. If you have something to offer, respond to this post with what you have (and please be specific, for example if you have toys, say for what age group, how many, what sort of condition they're in). Families in need are invited to respond to your post directly.

And if you're here because you have a specific need, and you don't see what you're looking for, please use the comment section to tell us a little about your story and your needs.

We'll work to get the word out so people will check here for offers. You can help too. If you visit relevant sites, please post our blog address and even say a little about what we're doing.

Once you have decided on a recipient and sent your package, let us know and we will indicate that on the blog.

Please jump right in. All of us want to be of help in some way, and what better way than to be in touch with a family directly?

Comments

[cooper]

I have gently used baby toys (lots); diapers sizes newborn-3; babyfood; formula; baby clothes; puzzles; coloring books and various toys for ages 1-3.

[vicky]

I have gently used boys clothes, ages 3-5; I have gently used clothes for girls age 10. I can send toiletry items, also.

[Aja]

[THESE HAVE BEEN DONATED.] I have Toys: two new dolls-- one Bratz, one Barbie. Also new set of bath crayons and sponge, and a Playmobil alien & spaceship set (ages 3+).

[Margie]

I have formula, gently used clothing for 0-9mo. boy and also some gently used boys 2-3 year clothing, gently used baby blankets, variety of gently used toys for 0-9mo.(plastic teether-type stuff, plush toys, stuffed animals, rattles, etc.), gently used Graco baby swing

[Don Ball]

Where are you located? I'm organizing a bus/caravan from Minnesota to TX/AR/MS (not sure where yet) to drop off stuff and take refugees up north to their adopted temporary housing.

Don Ball
don@polymerstudios.com
612-605-8668

[gscully]

Illinois family will provide free housing and food to a hurricane Katrina family in need. New Trier school district is one of the top in the country. We will help with finding a job, doctors appointments and school. We can come and pick you up. gscully52@aol.com

[Christine]

Sadly, we just did a big clean out and sent most of our no-longer-needed items items to the Salvation Army. But I think we have left two unopened cans of powdered Isomil formula,some summer (girl) outfits in size 18-24 months, a few gently used cotton infant blankets, about ten jars of Gerber Tender Harvest Stage 2 baby vegetables and fruits and six Dr. Brown's 8 oz. baby bottles (can these be donated; we used them for about a week).

[Concerned Mom]

I know its not much..but I have 4 boys aged 8 - 13 and they have alot of clothes and shoes, all sizes. My husband and I also have clothes, lots of different sizes - nice enough for job interviews. I also have a friend with 4 girls aged 2 - 12 that have alot of clothes in all sizes. We will pay to ship them to you. We may be able to come up with other necessities, just let us know what you need. God Bless you and your families.

[Paige Watkins]

I have gently used girls and boys clothes ranging from 3 months to 4 years. I also have four new boxes of infant cereal

[Sky Yonally]

I have boys clothing sizes 8-10, also a lot of toys for that age group, and books! Also, kitchen supplies? And mens clothes size L-XL, and womens sizes 8-10.

[Danigirl]

[THESE HAVE BEEN DONATED.]I have boys clothes, size 2 - 4T in good condition, plus toys and books (LOTS of books) for boys of the same age.

Thank you for doing this. I have tears in my eyes as I'm typing. Sending love and hope for the future from Canada...

[Imperfect Mommy]

I have girls clothing, sizes NB to 5T. We have women's clothes ranging from size 6 to 10 (I think I can part with my skinny clothes) and men's clothing ranging from size 36-38 pants and L/XL tops. I have toys, stuffed animals, dolls that are in the same age range. I am willing to go out and buy formula, water, diapers, hygiene supplies -- anything. I will also pay to ship.

[Momzom]

I have women's clothing, size 6, mostly casual/business casual, and some shoes, size 8.5. If you're desperate for an interview suit, I have a red one (power color?). I have toddler shoes (boys--could be unisex) sizes 7-9. I have a random assortment of pots, dishes, silverware. I have at least half a dozen like-new stuffed animals suitable for 1-3 years, lots of other gently-used 6mos--2 years soft toys, a dozen baby/child books (g'night moon, etc.)

[Mary]

I have:
* gently used baby boy clothes sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months
* gently used baby girl clothes size 18-24 months
* fleece sleepers size 0-6 months
* lots of gently used baby blankets

I'm willing to buy diapers, formula, etc.

I can pay to ship. Please email me: mary dot tsao at gmail dot com.

[Amy]

I have a crib and crib mattress that I am willing to donate, but can't possibly afford to ship it from Northern California (central valley). If anyone is going that way, and we can hook up with someone who has a place to put a crib and a need for one... I'd be glad to send it to someone in need of a place for their baby to sleep.

[sleepingmommy]

I have baby and childrens clothing both gently used and suitable for play. Boys clothing newborn to 9 months. Girls clothing newborn to 2T.

I also have a wide range of plus sized maternity clothing.

I have several bags and boxes of childrens toys. The toys are both boys and girls and general non-gender specific. Ages 3 and under.

Please email me if you have a need.

I am in in northcentral Oklahoma for anyone passing through who would like to pick items up to take with them to Louisiana and Mississippi.

This will be needed for the baby swing, exersaucer and bouncy seat along with a baby/toddler bathtub.

[sleepingmommy]

One other thing. I also have an infant carrier/car seat. VERY gently used. Only used for six months and was well taken care of.

[Dana]

We have:

boys' clothes (ages infant to 3 y.o.), infant blankets/sheets - all in very good condition

toys for small children - including many stuffed animals, 100+ hot wheel cars, "infant" toys - all in good condition, lots of kids' books

miscellaneous baby things: double stroller with car seat (barely used), highchair, baby swing (may not need immediately but something to think about later???)

blow-up toddler mattress

various adult-sized blankets/sheets

Willing to ship all things. Also willing to purchase other needed supplies: diapers, formula, school supplies, etc.

Also, willing to help a family with transportation costs if they are relocating.

[Corinne Filipek]

[GOODS HAVE BEEN DONATED TO A FAMILY STAYING IN IL] i have some slightly used women's summer clothing sizes 12-16. i am also willing to donate anything else that is needed and ship it. cfilipek@gmail.com

[Melissa in Georgia]

My house burnt down when I was a jr in high school and people helped us, so I want to help someone else.

I have two boys, age 9 months and 2. I am a size 10-12. My husband is an XL, 38 waist. We can donate clothing and other baby and toddler items. I would be willing to adopt a family with similar family ages and sizes and send all I can. Please let me know and we can try to figure out how to get you enough to get you started. I just recently became a stay at home mom, so I have suits or casual clothes. Most of my husbands clothes are work clothes. [DONATED TO TWO FAMILIES]

[autumn]

I have women's clothing - all seasons, that was waiting for a yard sale - sizes 5-6 & small. Lots of Tshirts and some blouses from when I worked in an office. Also sweats and pants for fall and winter.

I am also chasing Matt down to clear out his closet so I'll have men's mediums available after this weekend.

We also have extra cat toys. :)

[autumn]

And I forgot - I have TONS of stuffed animals that I am willing to part with so those can be sent to lots of people.

[LisaRachelle]

I have two girls - ages 3 1/2 to 4 1/2...so have many gently used clothes for girls from infants to 4T. I also have lots of toys for babies up to 4T. Tons and tons of books.

I also have some women's clothes - size 5/6 and 7/8 to donate.

[Amy B]

I have some gently used women's clothing in size 4 to 6 in pants/jean/bottoms and medium to large in tops. Some new women's clothing items in many differnt sizes. I have video tapes (sorry, VHS not DVDs) of many, many movies. Diabetic blood glucose testing lancets, brand new in unopened boxes. I also can make toiletry sacks with all new items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a comb, a few bandages, deodorant and a small bottle of shampoo.

[Crystal]

I am willing to send diapers, blankets, and other inexpensive necessities. (I'll have to purchase them as needed)