I'm a registered nurse and have tried to make it a point to work for community, non profit hospitals. The last hospital I worked at was so 'community' that Only about 30% of the patients had insurance. the rest were charity care or Medicaid/Medicare.
we didn't charge for anything. we gave out clothes, bus tokens, meal vouchers, medicines...killed our budget but what the fuck can you do? I'm not going to not treat someone with lice because they can't afford the kwell or new clothes or a shower. Do we'd kwell them and shower them and shave their beards and head if they wanted, give them new clothes and a sammich.
find your local community hospital or trauma center. Trauma centers are generally (not always) community hospitals. Ask around..what's the hospital you go to of you're poor. They'll not charge for the clothes and they really will go to people who need them.
even the for-profit hospitals I've world at never charged for clothes. you get bad press if you send people home naked, or I. paper scrubs. so even the for-profits would clothe people for free.
undies shoes and socks wre always the most needed. those hats everyone
crochets for the homeless....there was a room that had I swear millions of crocheted hats that people made and donated. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from making or donating knit hats, but check to see if they need them
you should find the hospital you are interested in donating to and call the ER (call the main line and ask to be put through) then ask to speak with the ER Social Worker. they'll let you know how and where to donate
another thing we always liked: new NEW (not used because of risk of bacteria transmission) stuffed animals and toys and crayons and coloring books for the kiddos
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