Originally Posted by insideinfo2
I've used the Food Bank connection several times. I've found it cheaper to make the donation to the Food Bank in cash and have them purchase the cereal in pallet load quantities using their tax exempt sales tax exemption. They're delighted to get larger quantities and cut off the certificates for me. Easy, no pain and a worthy donation. I tend to try to get the most cereal bang for the buck and some of the 250 mile packages are much more expensive than others. Same miles--different prices.
This seems to me a hair riskier from a tax perspective. You are getting something back for your money, not a straight donation.
On the other hand the cost of a box of cereal without a coupon is the same as one with the coupon. I'm sure it isn't a realistic difference in risk, but my read is one is completely within the tax code and one isn't.