Helping with Natural Disaster Relief

Natural disasters are a part of everyones life either directly or indirectly.  I think that we can develop more scientifically literate and compassionate students by teaching our students about natural disaster relief as well as the disaster itself.  One idea I had to get students more involved with disaster relief was to start by having students bring in non perishable food items, toys, cloths, toilet paper, candles, soap, and any other item folks might need during a disaster.  We could then package these items and send them to the area in need via our local Red Cross or other organization that helps in disaster relief.