That is a truly stupid comment. Money transfers are bookkeeping, inconveniencing a small number of electrons, and a large number of taxpayers. To deliver ice requires water, refrigeration, roads, trucks, gas, manpower, and distribution points.
Hmmmm. Who has water, refrigeration,trucks, gas, manpower and distribution points?
After Katrina, there were widespread reports that Wal-Mart had bottled water on store shelves before FEMA could get it into stricken towns. My solution then, and it still makes sense now: Contract out the distribution of relief supplies to Wal-Mart. The only logistics operation that comes close to Wally's reach and efficiency is the U.S. Military, and it kind of has a lot on its plate at the moment.