I give to the kids (and grandkids) carefully to avoid having them remain dependent on us old folks. After all, one day us old folks will not be around to help them and they'd better be self-sufficient.
My other gifts go to my church and local food/shelter missions. They have the capability to ensure that the people they give my money to really need it - and maybe give their soul a lift as well.
A personal peeve of mine is the gift drops or the "Would you like to add a dollar to your bill for (a specific charity)" at Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger etc. where you make donations that you're not sure how much is ate up in distribution costs, but the business then uses your money to brag about the donations to charity they have made.
When I worked at a homeless shelter, we were told to NEVER give money to homeless people. You are paying them to be homeless. If someone asks me for money, I assume it is the last thing they need.
If you can’t pay your light bill this month and they are going to cut off the electricity, lack of money isn’t the problem. It’s the symptom.