One of the lasting images of Hurricane Katrina is the mass of people outside the Superdome asking for water from National Guard troops who had none to give. People all over the world saw a city under water, and the human misery it created, and wanted to respond in some way. But the US had never before been a recipient of foreign disaster relief, so the outpouring of goodwill became a foreign policy disaster -- offending even their closest ally, Great Britain, when their proffered MREs (meals ready-to-eat) were warehoused in Arkansas and ultimately given to other nations because of fears of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Public education regarding disaster donations should be offered after every large-scale disaster as a reminder of the best way to manage the desire to help. Cash donations to established charities, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, are the best way for community members to express their concern for victims.