I liked Janie's idea of giving to the Red Cross now, which we've done, because they're the folks on the scene coping with the immediate emergency needs and then later giving to smaller local agencies who can assess the needs of specific individuals.

The FEMA website had a good point about giving cash contributions to agencies on site rather than sending stuff. Sending stuff creates logistical problems with regard to warehousing and distribution, while cash can be used to buy specifically what is needed, and is often spent in or close to the affected area which helps to rebuild the economy.