I had the same thing happen to me, and I took my info. from one of the comments on an article here on ywn. It especially bothered me that she didn’t add an updated comment once the needs changed. On the flip side, we do live in a very populated, warm, frum city, not to mention many more out of towners like you wanting to help. Once the call went out, I can understand how the goods far outnumbered what they could reasonably use as the number of families effected is B”H far less than the rest that wasn’t and is able to donate. They told my husband they needed help sorting and with tags only as it probably is a logistical nightmare. Asking for brand new stuff only doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is picky, it’s a way to limit the supply so they can manage the volume and avoid the junk some people dump. There are also very likely stores, manufacturers etc. that sent brand new stuff which, let’s not kid ourselves, most people prefer.
It still hurts, and I now need to figure out what to do with all those bags of stuff. Hope I managed to somehow “soften the blow” for you. Tizku lemitzvos regardless.