Two Nassau Street Mainstays Team Up to Aid Displaced Families

Matthew Hersh

Hulits Shoes and Landau have allied with the United Way's Hightstown-based Family & Children's Services of Central New Jersey in a drive that aims to clothe displaced families who are now facing a Northeastern winter — a stark departure from winters along the Gulf Coast.

Through the end of October, both stores are accepting bags of shoes and clothing to help what Landau proprietor Robert Landau called "a community of displaced people.

"Since the hurricane, we had been trying to find a way to do something meaningful," Mr. Landau said. The opportunity to supply people with warm clothing was a natural choice for the store that sells woolens. "There are kids here who are going to be freezing."

In New Jersey — an area that is typically devoid of serious natural disasters — someone looking to offer assistance might cut a check to a national charity and let their donation do the work, Mr. Landau said

But when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast nearly seven weeks ago, people responded differently. They volunteered on-site and opened their check books with a degree of generosity rarely seen: "There are a lot of people with a lot of things." Mr. Landau said.

Katrina also created an impact unlike other natural disasters: it forced families to scatter around the entire country — with more than 300 families in New Jersey alone.

The response has been "excellent," Mr. Landau said while adding that more clothes and shoes were needed. "People are coming in with five bags of stuff — and that's terrific — but we're not motivating enough people to go through their closets."

Pam Senatore of Family & Children's Services said that some people might be taxed out after the initial relief efforts, but Mr. Landau, and Ryan Simone of Hulit's, said that the more people know about efforts like these, the more willing they might be to help.

"It's a little slow right now, but so far, it's been good," Mr. Simone said, adding that as customers check out, cashiers have been placing fliers in bags in an effort to spread the word.

At Landau's, a recent shipment of ponchos with a minor defect that provided little value to the store, could, Mr. Landau said, provide warmth for families.

As for the families, it's not expensive clothing that is needed: just warm clothing, "period," Mr. Landau said.

"They're not looking for perfection, they're looking for warmth—and if you're cold, that's all you're interested in."