I put this in DHinMI's post, but it's worth its own page.
DHinMI is correct: The RC can move cash the best. If LA, MI, and other nearby folks have clothes and products to donate, remember the local foodbanks, thrift stores, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and the like. These places will be sucked dry quickly.
And when you donate to the Red Cross, it would be helpful if you didn't specify "for Hurricane Karina survivors." Donor intent has to be honored--but the Red Cross has rules about what it can give people.