Contact a local guild.
Check local prisons. Some do have sewing programs, both for men and for women.
Check local children's camps. Some offer sewing classes (although summer camps are over for this year)
There are 3 "local" (under an hour away) recycle/upcycle shops that I know of that take specifically craft/sewing items to be resold at great prices for those looking.
Local free/trade groups on facebook
Or, just donate wherever you can. While it might not end up at the local thrift shop, hopefully they will end up in one of their other locations. Not sure how they decide what gets sent where.