I'm not sure about your area, but there are some transition/temporary shelters where people are on a wait list for permanent housing. The quilts that are donated for the beds, go with the person when housing is found. So always there is a need for replacements.
As far as not making something pretty, I think functionality for the homeless is better. Keep in mind with no place to live, there is most times no way to carry your things around and when things get wet, they unfortunately get left behind.