Our local TV station did an undercover story on this. They followed the "will work for food" people only to see them meet others and put their money together, which was used to buy whiskey.
I buy a "to go" plate of food and take it back to them.

Ditto!! our favorite charity. DH especially likes how they use Plumpy Nut (peanut butter based) to nourish kids with malnutrition. He is a big PB fan!!

Your local shelter would welcome pet food, I bet,. Also ask the local food shelf - sometimes they have a program in conjunction with the shelter, to get pet food to low income folks so they don't have to give up their pets.

I give money to organizations I trust. I limit it to communities and countries that can be trusted. I give blankets and other crafty items to loved ones. Personal preference. Military folks are the exception. That's answering specific requests. Different situation.

But, yes, I have seen a number of negative commentaries over the years about people who give crafts in the wake of natural disasters. It's perceived as selfish, impractical and even delusional. Like the obsession can't be broken long enough to realize a starving kid thousands of miles away doesn't need an oven mit. People can be harsh but I don't think it should hinder anyone's donations (whatever they may be).

Please yourself. Opinions are just words.

i think we think quilt because it comes from our hearts and hands. i rarely have $20 in my pocket, but i have a stash of fabric and batting that i am willing to use. all my old towels, sheets and blankets go to the shelters. any food my animals won't eat but i've bought in bulk goes to them as well. anything i can do, i do.

:thumbup: That is true,my DD & her husband does foster care & have adopted a boy. The stories she tells of little children is sad. Some have nothing, it makes you think. Think about giving too these homes!

I work in a homeless shelter and can see both sides so you aren't getting tarred and feathered. Many times we see money used for things WE wouldn't buy but I learned that when you give something, you relenquish control over it, otherwise it isn't actually a gift. Sorry to say I don't always do that but I feel better when I do give it from my heart.

I worked for a non profit for 19 years- and administrative cost was about 12% of our income. When a non profit ask for money - ask these questions:

What % of the income goes to administrative cost if they can't answer then keep your money. Some have as high as 48% administrative cost.

Is a copy of the annual report available

Do you have the proper solicitation permit for that community.

While the topic presents itself. The issue of money not going where it should. Samaratins purse actually gives a break out of where the funds go and records are public. They do what they say.
Can't say that for many organizations. Try even your boyscouts and girlscouts. they get a very very small percent of the cokies and popcorn sold. It goes to their headquaters. How do I know? We work with nonprofits and have done keetle korn as fund raisers for them. we offered 50/50 and they would shake their heads saying can't be what's the catch. That's when we began finding out how little your son's and daughters actually get on the fund raisers they peddle

http://www.afrtrust.org/Coast-Guarg-...Assistance.pdf

there are many legitimate relief trusts for returning military personnel who need cash for relearning a trade, supporting their families and paying their rent. while they were away taking care of you their lives were turned upside down. i don't feel that a quilt will help them. they need services that money pays for. the money doesn't come from the government. it has to come from you.

the pie chart above is an example of what you can find for any branch of the military, or any other charity that you like. just google funding pie chart.

if you want to make sure the help goes where it should, fill a sack with groceries and leave it on a doorstep. it doesn't take long to spend $20, $50 or more for basic pantry items and they really help a family free up money for other necessities.

it's very easy to do what you like to do anyway and call it charity whether it's what's most needed or not, imo

i go with Bear.