Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The post that really got to me was the one for a newly-arrived Ukrainian family. They were directly asking for everything needed to equip a home. I was perfectly fine with that and was thinking about what I could contribute that I already had--until they asked for an electric espresso coffee maker (which are usually more expensive than a drip coffee maker). Given how frugally I lived during my 20s when all I could afford was rent and food, I was taken aback by that request.
I had a white Pottery Barn couch to give away (in good shape but the couch cover had a very light water stain (ceiling leak)). No organization wanted it because of a small stain and I was told to clean it and then send pictures again - I was told that Afghan families left everything and came over so anything we give has to be in respectable condition. I put it on FB and someone who was willing to clean it themselves took it. Who has time for all this when we are giving away stuff.
When I came here as an immigrant I would have been grateful to have a free couch with a small water stain that could have been washed. We were living without any real furniture for 5 years. We had 2 $10 folding chairs from Ames, a $20 Staples table as dining table and a mattress/box spring and the rails to go with it (no bed set or dresser or a couch).