When disaster strikes and relief funds and supplies are in immediate and high demand, try one of these simple ways to gather cash and goods fast.

1. Pick up the phone. “The quickest, easiest way to make money is to draw up a list of all the people you know and ask them directly for a donation,” says author Stephanie Roth. Call all your friends and ask if they’d be willing to write a check for $25 or $50 to an organization providing disaster relief.

2. Send an e-mail. To make the donation process easier, try sending an e-mail message asking them to make an online donation. Include a personal note and a link to the donation Web page of the charity.

3. Launch your own food, coat, or book drive. Offer to visit the homes of friends and acquaintances on a specific day to collect clothing, canned goods, or other material donations. (Check first with the charity to which you plan to donate; be certain it can use the items you want to collect.)