Are you a highly-qualified logistics professional with extensive experience in the non-profit world? No? Then don't bother with giving "stuff" for your charitable donations. Whether giving money to the Philippines to aid with typhoon relief or donating locally because it's the holiday season, your cash is more valuable to charities than equal-value physical things.
Especially when it comes to food banks, give cash. You bought that can of hearty chili for a buck. The food bank can use that dollar to buy multiple cans of chili through its wholesale contacts. Those who have given know that the feeling of giving is a good one. Give cash, and feel better knowing that you're enabling your charity of choice to do more.