Tend to just donate items you'd otherwise just discard? Instead, give the goods that are actually most desired by people in need.
Before donating to a school food drive, Reddit user potstickme101 posted a worthwhile question to find out what food pantries really need: "People who work at or have needed to get food from a food bank, Whats the one food that you wish more people donated and why?"
If you're donating this holiday season, heed the advice from donors, formerly homeless people and volunteers on Reddit below.