The National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, The Susan G. Komen Foundation are two that I walk for each year. I donate to the Red Cross, the local food banks, and other causes as they come up. Other donations include items given to Good Will and the Salvation Army.

Patty what you refer to is a misconception that they are gathering donations with the purpose of selling them to the poor for low prices. They both gather donations to sell the items to raise money for their other efforts. Each organization has huge community outreach programs where they educate, feed, and clothe those truly in need, and in addition the Salvation Army is a huge part of disaster relief funding (along with the Red Cross) around the world. Go to www.salvationarmy.org and click on the tab about their work for more information.

I agree with Bob about the United Way - I hated that my old employer used to pressure us to give and made you feel like a Scrooge if you didn't but of all the charitable organizations I've read about they spend the most on administration and have a pretty low % of what actually gets to the organizations they claim to support. It's an easy way to give for people who wouldn't give in any other circumstances but I just don't care for them.