# The most unexpected thing you really needed during/after a disaster? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2017, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807 "2017-08-27T02:17:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![biometricks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@biometricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biometricks)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/21 "2017-08-28T16:11:49Z")
We bought Mace and a baseball bat after a hurricane once because there were rumors about looting in the area, but I acknowledge these would be odd items to donate. We also used sterno candles to heat up food and inexpensive battery powered candles to light up the stairs in our house. Memories… ugh. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/22 "2017-08-28T16:21:48Z")
As mentioned on one of the local TV stations this morning, socks. Lots of socks. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/23 "2017-08-28T16:59:19Z")
My BIL living just outside of Houston wishes he had replaced the lost key to his generator. Oppsie. Otherwise, they should be fine. Just stuck at home. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/24 "2017-08-28T17:01:16Z")
Money. Remember when you donate items, those have to somehow be counted, inventoried, moved and then distributed. There is often no one to do that. In big disasters, they often reference “the second” disaster is the wave of donated items that they can’t do anything with. Donate money, then they can buy what they actually need for relief, and also give a boost to any businesses still operating in the area. ---
**Author:** ![biometricks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@biometricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biometricks)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/25 "2017-08-28T19:05:03Z")
People often overlook baby and kid items-- clothes, diapers, baby food, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/26 "2017-09-02T04:21:45Z")
The kids, with the cooperation of helpful parents, have decided to sell BBQ plates, and donate cash proceeds to a reputable relief charity. When the hurricane hit us last year, it was easy to address a specific local need, so that led to a handful of specific drives, for the animal shelter and the food pantry and such. From a thousand miles away, donating money is more helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/27 "2017-09-03T14:26:26Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > The kids, with the cooperation of helpful parents, have decided to sell BBQ plates, and donate cash proceeds to a reputable relief charity. Great idea - and again, please thank your daughter and friends for being so caring. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/28 "2017-09-03T16:19:59Z")
I posted earlier about my family’s experience during the 2011 Joplin tornado. I wanted to add that what worked in a small town like Joplin (population ~50,000) probably wouldn’t work in a big city like Houston. I don’t know who was responsible for setting up the distribution tents in Joplin (bless you whoever), but it was only necessary to have a single site, and no one needed to travel more than a few miles to reach it. There were many volunteers looking for some way to help (bless all), and only the single site needed staffing. I doubt that there was any inventory control going on, just unload and put out for grabs. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/29 "2017-09-23T02:02:43Z")
Quick update: The kids had their (delayed by Irma) fundraiser tonight. The exact figures aren’t in yet, but they raised something over $10,000. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807/30 "2017-09-23T21:04:00Z")
Wow. Nice. One specific post disaster item that has proven its worth is baby wipes. They are great not just for changing a diaper but for other personal hygiene. A bit thicker and more durable than paper towels or toilet paper. Can also be a great general purpose cleaning wipe for clearing out spoiled foods from a fridge to kitchen and bathroom cleaning. Great item. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-unexpected-thing-you-really-needed-during-after-a-disaster/794807.md?page=1)