We have started donating more to the Houston Food Bank. They seem to have the most efficient system for stretching money. If I donate clothing, it is to Salvation Army, and it is never, never something I would not wear. The whole attitude that, "poor people should be thankful for anything they get," needs to stop.
When my cousin worked for CPS, they had to ask that any presents donated for foster kids come unwrapped. She said that they were given broken toys, toys with parts missing, and believe it or not sometimes an actual box of garbage. No child deserves to be treated like that, children are not responsible for their life condition. An act of kindness on your part could make a real difference in the rest of a childs life.