Where do you draw the line for organizations that ask for proceeds to help folks, but are not actual charities? ?

I draw the line very clearly - I don't support on them because there is just no way to verify that the proceeds are going to the causes you think it is going to, especially when they are approaching you on the street.

I did speak to one of them once, and my take-away is that a minority of what you pay actually goes to the charity. Most of it goes to them as 'salary'.

If you are looking to donate to a cause you feel passionate for, go directly.

Not sure about others but if you find the stuff to be pricey, you can choose not to buy.

In fact, you have no obligation so feel free to reject them.

Instead, go to the actual charity they say they are helping and make the donation there. They will appreciate the gesture more and skip the whole middleman thing.