I can’t think of a better way to give people in need exactly what they need.  If I donate to the Red Cross, how do I know it goes to Sandy?  And honestly, their presence related to Sandy in NYC has been lackluster to say the least. Buying boxes of food or generic clothing seems like a hassle since someone has to sort through that junk & most of what gets donated is junk. People just clear out their closets or pantry.  The “wedding registry” is updated regularly & I have been to 520 Clinton here in Brooklyn & you can literally see the stuff that is on the Amazon registry sitting there getting ready to be distributed.

Also, folks who are still wary of these folks need to realize that members of the U.S. military are volunteering on their own to help via the Occupy folks.  And U.P.S. drivers who are dropping off goods have even organized to help them bring stuff to the Rockaways & other areas.  It’s pretty amazing.

Just when the media declared OWS “dead” and “without purpose,” this leaderless volunteer movement showed the world what community activism really means

The corporatist media will continue to call OWS “dead” as long as the movement is even remotely a danger to the status quo.

They have been doing a lot of work with people in these neighborhood who had their homes foreclosed on by Wall Street Banks, so they know these people, some of them are members of NYCC. In fact they are so plugged into the community the Red Cross came to them asking for the lay of the land for their relief efforts. 
If you are inclined to donate to them here is a link. 
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?url=nycommuni&fundraiser_id=13028