I used to have a larger list, but it seems like every non-profit that reaches a certain size or age starts to drift, until one day you see their current projects or grants and realize a lot of your dollars are going to tangential projects.
Isn't this optimising for feeling good over doing good?
But generally I would recommend your local food bank as a good default charity.
I DO think it's worth understanding the structure of food/hunger charities, at least in the US. In many places, there's a central food bank and then lots of smaller food pantries. Typically, food banks get the big bucks, have the big events, and give/sell food to pantries, etc. The pantries are run by houses of faith, service organizations, etc. and are open a few hours a week.
I was surprised to learn that a number of people in my area rabidly oppose the regional food bank, saying that pantries must buy their food from them, arguing that the food should be given. Having worked with a food bank in DC, I understand that food banks have the power of the purse to buy food at a discount no pantry could dream of getting. And because food banks have a distribution network, they can also handle large donations of soon-to-expire food, etc.
I've tried to explain to food bank opponents that it's a better deal for the pantry to buy food from the food bank; the pantry will receive more for their money. But there's no convincing them. Which is fine.
Anyway, the point is to understand the system and make an informed decision about where you want to donate.
Like you, I just don't trust most charities, and haven't taken the time to deep dive.
Now that I am between jobs and interviewing, I am tithing to my local church.
I may go back to tithing to my classroom soon.
They help troubled kids, lots of pregnant teenagers there, things like that.
I don't try to min max my donations. The organization is doing work that nobody else is doing, that I want to see funded. I don't particularly care if they're maximally efficient.
Give to Givewell.
Most startups could learn to maintain a page like this.
Edit: Just to add, they are a 501(c)3 non profit, you can donate here https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/join-give/ways-to-give/g...
Have throttled back for the past three months because we are supporting a single grandmother with custody of three grandsons (1, 4, and 12) with the middle one in the hospital with cancer. Have been paying their bills on and off and cooking dinner and snacks for them. With food costs as high as they are, something had to give and so charity took the hit. I do, however, donate handmade quilts and table runners to most orgs when they're doing fundraisers locally.
Personally I give to my church. They align with my values and I see how active they are in the community.
The tried and true: https://www.consumerreports.org/charities/best-charities-for...
https://give.org/ Report reminded me of various tech were they validate you have good practices. But did not investigate the actual money trail.
https://www.charitynavigator.org
Now Forbes does not list it in the top 100 which surprised me.
I did my research about 4 years ago.
Erowid.org
They often have pretty ridiculous interest rates, such that if you don't make a ton of money from it, you're trapped in debt for a long time. And yes, they'll come to your home to collect. Think of it as basically more aggressive payday loans. To be clear - not Kiva, but their partners.