[Smokin' Joe]

I have found local charities can get more bang for your giving dollar, as a rule.

A local Volunteer Fire Department or Rescue Squad for equipment or operating costs, for instance, and 100% goes to do what you want it to. In ND a $5,000 donation gets tax credits and only costs the donor about 2 grand in the end. Good if you are in a position to do so.

Other shelter organizations such as Salvation Army, food pantries, and other church based organizations locally also provide for those most in need, and accept clothing and other articles as well as cash.

If you keep it local, the people administering the funds tend to be volunteers. The Red Cross went off my list decades ago, but that is another story, and my personal experience was only bolstered by the recollections of WWII and Korean War vets I know.

[cloudmountain]

I have found local charities can get more bang for your giving dollar, as a rule. A local Volunteer Fire Department or Rescue Squad for equipment or operating costs, for instance, and 100% goes to do what you want it to. In ND a $5,000 donation gets tax credits and only costs the donor about 2 grand in the end. Good if you are in a position to do so.
Other shelter organizations such as Salvation Army, food pantries, and other church based organizations locally also provide for those most in need, and accept clothing and other articles as well as cash.
If you keep it local, the people administering the funds tend to be volunteers. The Red Cross went off my list decades ago, but that is another story, and my personal experience was only bolstered by the recollections of WWII and Korean War vets I know.

Thanks for your feedback.