Some good advice on GIK

From Japan 

"If you can, please put such items in different boxes and write the contents clearly on the outside. It will save us a lot of work sorting items," said Kazutoshi Matsuura, director of the Guidance and Inspection Division of the metropolitan government's Social Welfare and Public Health Bureau.

Some people have sent items the Tokyo metropolitan government is not seeking at this time, such as secondhand clothes and food.
"Even in disaster-hit areas, most people don't want clothes worn out by someone else," Matsuura said. "It's absurd for people to send items they don't want anymore. They should put themselves in other people's position and carefully, compassionately consider what they need."

The Chiba prefectural government began accepting relief goods from individuals on Tuesday. However, the prefecture is only accepting items brought directly to a special counter at its main office building in Chiba. Otherwise, it would take a very long time to sort them, officials said.

Until Friday, Yamanashi Prefecture accepted donations of bottled water, powdered milk and disposable diapers, but they had to be brand-new, boxed by item and brought directly to the prefectural office.

"We must save time and effort to deliver relief materials quickly to disaster areas," a prefectural official said.

"People who want to send relief goods to disaster areas should check such information frequently and try to cooperate with local governments so necessary items can be delivered when needed," said Norio Takeuchi, deputy director of the Tokyo Voluntary Action Center in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

"Please remember that not sending relief goods is also a wise option, if you think they would be a burden for disaster victims," Takeuchi said

HT - Saundra, for everything SWEDOW/GIK