... seek the needy in their community...
As parents of gifted kids we strive to make our children's needs known so these needs may be met. Therefore many of us may see the parallel to identifying/understanding others' needs so they may also be met.
Many make "in-kind" donations at Christmas. Within organizations there may be a flurry of volunteer activity to distribute donated food items and children's gifts for the week or so of Christmas and other holidays. (Sore muscles, anyone?) A month later donations are typically down, and the need is typically up.
To make a brief PSA, people may not realize there is often a shortage of storage space at many non-profits, charities, schools, hospitals, etc. Similar to our kids' academics, these entities benefit from an ongoing infusion.
To understand and meet needs, contacting an organization may be helpful. Some may post their requests or wish-lists on their website.
In general, crayon donations may be high,
donations for children age 3-10 may be common,
donations for infants to age 3 may be less common,
donations for teens may be scarce.
Sometimes teens ask for a boxed activity: a teen-level art set, a knitting kit, science set, game, popular book, etc something to keep them mentally and physically occupied while learning something new: something which represents hope, self-improvement, betterment.
Kits, books, and items in even-sized stackable boxes may be easiest to store and transport (as well as to wrap, when that may be a consideration). Oversized or odd-shaped items may present storage, handling, and transporting difficulties.
ETA: Many organizations do not distribute donations of toys which depict violence in any way. This may include swords, guns, dart guns, some action figures, etc, including toys which may be popular at the moment (Halo, Thor).
Just a BTDT tidbit from an advocate for meeting needs.
