James and Janae (7) Winter "lost everything" in a fire at their Milton rental home on Monday.
Janae’s school, St Mary’s, started an appeal to help Mr Winter.
The school principal’s personal assistant, Sandra Shaw, said several items were donated initially and thanks to a front-page story in the Otago Daily Times yesterday, more had been donated yesterday morning.
Mr Winter said "I want people to know how humbling it is and how grateful I am of their generosity."
The pair had not yet received the items as they were struggling to find a permanent place to live.
Rental properties were scarce in the small town. In the meantime, Mr Winter and Janae were staying at a local motel.
They have found temporary accommodation to move into next week, thanks to an offer from a member of the community.
Mr Winter said the self-contained sleep-out was "a really nice place" but he was still after a permanent place of residence.
He had also found it difficult to find accommodation when he first moved to Milton a couple of years ago.
While there were "a few properties" back then, there was nothing now, he said.
Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he felt sorry for Mr Winter.
"I sympathise with his plight and that he’s been exposed to the underlying phenomenon that has been growing ... for well over a year."
Mr Winter’s situation brought awareness to the district-wide housing shortage, Mr Cadogan said.
"Everyone we’ve talked to, real estates and the like, were all telling us they are under a considerable amount of pressure."
Mr Cadogan said it "was a sign of the times" and the Clutha District Council was working to alleviate the situation.
"We can’t rectify it quickly but we are taking steps as best we can."
Mr Winter said there was a possibility he could move to another town in the district but Milton was his first choice.
If anyone was able to offer help or accommodation they were encouraged to contact St Mary’s School.
