For many, giving items to people in need is a central part of the holiday season. Here is a guide to maximize the local impact of your donations this year.

Always check the website guidelines of the charitable organization. Most have specific items they need or items they do not accept. Most charities can only use items that are new, unused or nearly new.

When donating, determine whether items are genuinely useful. If it is not usable for you, it’s likely not usable for anyone else.

Avoid donating clothing with holes or stains, books with missing pages, broken or potentially dangerous toys, expired or soon-to-expire food, or damaged household items.

To minimize transportation costs and maximize the impact on the community, donate to neighborhood charities, which can be found using the Charity Navigator database or following the recommendation on the Anne Arundel County website. Charity Navigator also rates charities, donors decide where their resources will be most available.

Anne Arundel County Food and Resource Bank, located in Crownsville, is seeking shelf-stable items, especially those high in fiber and low in sodium and sugar. For example, baby food and formula, nutritional shakes and supplements, healthy snacks, boxes of grains and other canned goods. It also accepts diapers, baby wipes and personal hygiene products. The organization asks for items in plastic containers and canned goods that are less than 28 ounces or other items in one pound containers or less.

For gently used professional clothes such as suits, blouses, blazers and skirts, consider donating to Baltimore’s chapter of Dress for Success, which distributes clothing to people in need preparing for job interviews and other professional events. Non-profit organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will accept clothes for resale at their thrift stores and use the proceeds to fulfill their charitable missions.

Habitat for Humanity and HOPE for All, both in Glen Burnie, accept furniture, housewares and appliances. Lutheran Mission Society, which has locations in Annapolis and Baltimore, accepts donations of household items and accepts like-new mattresses and box springs.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Anne Arundel County accepts donations of towels, blankets, sheets, pet and office cleaning supplies and more. Its full wish list is on its website. Anne Arundel County Animal Control also accepts donations, but it’s important to check with the shelter to see what it needs because it frequently changes.

Have a news tip? Contact Bridget Byrne at bbyrne @baltsun.com, 443-690-7205 and x.com/brdgtbyrn.