Turns out the food pantries that serve struggling families would rather have some cash than whatever random old cans you cleaned out of your cupboard for a local food drive. They're just afraid to say so:

Charities are naturally reluctant to turn down donations for fear of alienating supporters or demoralizing well-wishers, but the reality is that [...]

As mentioned by LL in an exhaustive budget rundown, At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson kept funding in the city budget for a program that helps the poor pay for attorneys. Today, Bread for the City cheered the news on its blog ("Beyond Bread"):
"Yesterday, the DC Council Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to maintain funding for civil legal [...]