To increase their chances for a share of those funds, charities have learned that a free token or gift goes a long way. Recipients will often feel guilty about not making a donation and will be even more ashamed if they use the gift without paying for it.

I struggle with this every time an unsolicited mailer arrives with greeting cards, kids’ socks, or other tchotchkes. By law, “you may keep such shipments as free gifts,” according to the Federal Trade Commission. But few of us treat this issue in legal terms.

It’s not practical to send the items back, even though Boys Town tells me that a small percentage of people do. I tried giving the things I receive away, but I’ve found no takers. Tossing perfectly good pens and paper in the trash makes no sense. So I use the stuff, reminding myself that I make my share of charitable donations every year—just not necessarily to the organizations that keep filling my mailbox.

Still, a tinge of guilt remains.

Some years ago I did a “Candid Camera” sequence in which my colleague, Linda Gulley, told passersby she worked for “United Friends of America,” a charity that accidentally raised too much money in the last year. She then asked, “How much would you be willing to take?”

Most folks were stunned and politely declined to accept any money. But a few were willing to help out, including a guy who happily took 20 bucks. “That’s very generous of you,” said Linda as she handed over the cash.

(c) Peter Funt. This column originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.