The worst in-kind donations
Posted on June 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Here are the winners from the stories submitted for the worst in-kind donation contest (related post: What is an in-kind donation). You may have your own personal favorites, all submissions can be read here, please feel free to add more. Thanks to everyone that submitted their stories!
The most common in-kind donation
Shoes of all sorts; soccer shoes, running shoes, flip flops, etc… (see post for why this might not be a good donation)
The most ridiculous in-kind donation
Knickers for Africa and bras for Haiti – recent requests were made for donations of both of these items recently by two different organizations
The grossest in-kind donation
Used soap from hotels are collected and sent to Uganda
Worst in-kind donation as a tax write-off
Skeleton shaped suckers leftover from Halloween sent to survivors of Hurricane Mitch
Worst in-kind donation as a political stunt
Spam (spiced ham) hand delivered by a US Senator to Muslims after the tsunami (this donation was also a contestant for the next category)
Most offensive in-kind donation
The offer of what was perceived as dog food to Kenya to help with their food crisis -
In-kind donation that wasted the most recipient time
This was a toss-up between a broken computer that the recipient organization spent years trying to fix or the 15 pallets of random medicine sent after Hurricane Mitch. Critical time was wasted sorting through the medicine and throwing 3/4 of it away.
Most dangerous in-kind donation
Baby formula donated after Hurricane Mitch – if mixed with contaminated water could kill a baby from diarrhea within 24 hours.
Related posts:
What is an in-kind donation?
6 questions you should ask before donating goods overseas
Sending sports equipment to needy children seems like a good idea, but is it…
The most useful in-kind donations
Donating shoes and other aid fads
Why do we so often give aid in ways that does not support the local economy?
« Interesting articles in the news • Common donor misconceptions »
Great post! I blogged about it here: http://schweitzerfellowship.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/bras-for-africa-knickers-for-haiti/
Are you referring to the New Zealand company that offered to retool its dog biscuit plant to provide foodstuffs for Kenyans?
I really don’t think that should be considered “offensive” as it was a donation *by* a dog food company rather than a donation *of* dog food. The proposed biscuits were very nutritionally balanced unlike most of the flour-heavy supplies given for famines. And this doesn’t even go into the fact that many animals in the West live much more comfortably than many in the third world. So-called “dog-food” would be a nutrional step up for many, even if its original purpose would make it seem somewhat offensive.
The refusal of the offer caused unnecessary suffering and starvation.
Dear Evan,
Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts on the dog food. Your point about the fact that it was made by a dog food company rather than an actual donation of dog good is well taken. This is actually the second time I’ve heard of dog food being donated, once was after the tsunami. I don’t know if that was also just made by a dog food company or was actually dog food. The problem in this case is the perception, and unfortunately, that’s a hard one to get around.
If you’re going to request donations, then really request donations. Don’t put up a barely visible “Donate” link and pray for the best. But as more people feel the recession’s pinch, donations have been falling at the worst possible time.
A glass of milk donated by a willing and truthful heart is worth than a drum of milk donated by “i give and gain” kind of heart.
Empowering unfortunate brother,sister or child is basically empowering yourself,as much as one good deed deserves another.
I respectfully disagree with your post re: infant formula as being the most dangerous type of donation. Yes, breastfeeding is the most important thing to encourage; and never should the donation of formula detract from that public health goal – an even more important goal during times of crisis or disaster when potable water is scarce. However, as a pediatrician who has done relief work in both Cambodia and Haiti, I’ve some times relied on infant formula to help resuscitate babies who are dying from malnutrition. And, in those cases, the availability of infant formula has saved children’s lives.