On Long Island, Sh’or Yoshuv Institute is giving new clothing donated by manufacturers and businesses to victims. I believe that the psychological impact of the disaster has victims so downtrodden that maybe a new item will lift their spirits just a bit. No one is poo-pooing donations. [We] still give to the National Jewish Council and the donations are taken gladly. The items from Sh’or Yoshuv are given with humility and kindness. On the whole, the situation is touchy. Accepting donated clothing and items when one has been self-sustaining his/her entire adult life is very difficult. It doesn’t mean that the person is being haughty, it goes to his/her being self-sufficient.
If thought of in that light, stepping into the victim’s shoes, then the thinking changes.