Here's a difference a WW2 vet told me about between the Salvation Army and the Red Cross- when he returned from the war along with thousands of GI's both organizations had booths/trailers/stands set up at the docks. The Red Cross was trying to sell the vets coffee and the Salvation Army was giving away coffee, drinks and food.

The United Way is one of the absolute worst for waste. I have absolutely no use for them.