I think we should acknowledge that if you've been around donated items you see some things that make you wonder about the donation...
I used to belong to a large guild and we supported Ronald McDonald House. When we had our work drives, there was a lady at intake and her job was quality and she was very good at that. Unfortunately she was not so good at delivering constructive criticism and that fell to another person. But they had a very good system, some projects were accepted as is, others sent for a bit of rework, and still some others were discretely tucked under the counter as unsuitable. A kind way was found to discuss the reason/problems.
In my thrift store shopping I do see used Project Linus or other group labeled blankets, and it is true they are usually nothing special. But hey, I also see some lovely special things made by loving hands donated all the time as well. And the important thing is that they were received and used and are now being offered again.
There are many organizations and many needs for donation projects from big and small and happy to sad. Some of us do have the time and interest, but not unlimited finances. I simply could not sew as much as I would like at $12/yard, top/back and batting and thread too. When you do a number of projects a year, yes the batting and backing and everything else adds up including wear and tear on the sewing machine.
And while I have lots of time, it's limited enough for me to not want to work on projects I don't want to work on! In the last couple of years some of the projects have challenged me in different ways. I'm pretty much always working on some project, the biggest difference for me is whether I know it has a home yet or not. Some of my projects I am making for me
Some I make for others, like next up is one for my hubby's Aunt. And some, well, I don't know what their end story will be so I do my standard level of work and care with the standard level of fabric I would be happy to keep for myself or wrap my own grandchild in.