It sounds like there is a strong preference for keeping it local. What would it take to have FT volunteers in major metro areas act as coordinators and collection points so that every few months these things could go to use? I suspect the FT'ers already doing things like this just skims the surface of what is possible and with a little organization we could make this mushroom.
I'm a little busy for the next day, but tomorrow I plan on really getting back to this and hammering something out.
- cheapo