We give generous cash donations to both M-o-W of MC and Montgomery County Food bank every year.
Since the change in the Standard Deduction, it's tougher to qualify for a tax deduction for your charitable giving. If you're 72 years old, and are required to make an annual withdrawal (RMD) from your IRA, you can get a backdoor tax deduction by making a QCD -- qualified charitable distribution -- from your IRA. The distribution counts toward your RMD, but it won't count as taxable income, so you're effectively getting a tax deduction for your contribution. Be careful, though, there are specific rules to follow -- check with the financial institution that holds your IRA.