This is an idea coming from a very earnest place, but thrift shops where I live have been inundated with trash lately. They’re also receiving way more donations than they can process. I’m loath to subject food banks to that, too. Make sure that the food bank is requesting household items or clothing before showing up with items unannounced.

The message from most charitable organizations in recent years, including food banks, is that if you want to help, cash goes a lot further than any item you can donate. Food banks in particular can buy way more food than any single donor can with $5 due to a number of programs that stretch their dollars.