The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross released details Wednesday that they are overwhelmed with unsolicited donations.

A mass amount of unsolicited donations can create whats called a secondary disaster. The more items sent to Joplin that are not necessary needed require more volunteers to sort, distribute and warehouse.

FEMA offers advice to those who want to help out.

The easiest way to help is to call 2-1-1 in most areas in Missouri to volunteer time or make a donation.  Cash is the best because it offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources. Confirm what is needed BEFORE taking action!

Donate in-kind goods that are specifically requested or needed by recognized organizations. Unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.

Confirm the needs by contacting the voluntary organization of your choice before starting to collect.

If you have a quantity of a given item or class of item to donate, and you need help in determining which organizations to give to, you can make your offer through http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema after this,  just click on Missouri.