It is a very slippery slope. Once you give almost anything to a charity money wise they want your address and email. And they sell the list to other charities and the barrage starts. I wish there was a box to check that said NEVER contact me again on any donation. Once you are on the list you are on there forever.
For that reason alone I tend to give CASH to the Salvation Army. I don't give them my name or address and I don't take it off of my taxes. Don't waste the resources to mail junk to me.
One close friend died years ago. His asked for for no flowers, just donate to a cause he believed in. That cause has mailed me calendars, pens, and lots of junk over the years. I bet it cost more than my donation. It is a total waste on resources.
I helped out a family with some rent money and some presents for the kids at Christmas time. Then I heard them talking about a show HBO on their cable TV.
They had cable TV but could not make rent payments?
I understand I have been very lucky. I had two parents that were married for over 50 years before they died. I learned how to WORK at an early age and I have had a job since I was 16 with just 5 days total of unemployment since then.
I will stick to the Salvation Army cash donations and feel good that that money will help more needy people any other other charity.