As Hurricane Needs Swell, Some Suggest Steering Clear of Red Cross. Why?
Style Magazine Newswire | 9/15/2017, 8:12 a.m.
Source: USA Today
As Hurricane Irma swirled toward Florida's southern coast, the American Red Cross continued to be dogged on social media by people suggesting that donations intended to help victims of the storm send their money elsewhere. The American Red Cross, a 136-year-old institution that is usually among the first to swoop in and set up shelters, health clinics and mobile kitchens in times of need, is one of the big and traditional beneficiaries of donations when disasters happen. Since Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, the Red Cross has collected $211 million. Recent criticisms of the organization on Twitter and Facebook — sentiments that can be summed up as "donate elsewhere" — recently led American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern to issue a video statement insisting it does, with 91 cents of every dollar going to Hurricane Harvey relief. A congressional report and several media investigations have found fault with the Red Cross' management and performance, suggesting the organization spends as much as 25% of donations on administrative, promotional and overhead costs.
