I was surprised—as I was after Katrina—to receive an e-mail from a certain very large nonprofit asking for donations to help “restock school and home libraries” so soon after Hurricane Sandy’s wake. I think I would have waited another week or two before sending it out. Kids need books for sure, but many storm victims are still facing immediate, life-threatening situations. If a charity’s Sandy-related pitch doesn’t seem to be related to the most urgent relief efforts underway right now, there is a danger that some potential donors will view it as exploitive.

Related:

The Atlantic posted a powerful photo gallery of the storm’s aftermath.

How to Help:

The Village Voice has a good list (look about half way down, under the heading, “DONATE + VOLUNTEER”), as does Time Out.