Volunteering at the local food bank last month, I noticed we threw away nearly 200 pounds of spoiled produce because we lacked enough volunteers to sort it in time. That made me wonder: donating money is more efficient for a charity's bottom line than giving my time? I can earn $40 an hour at my job, but my hour of shelving cans isn't worth that to the organization. Still, there's something about showing up in person, seeing the people you help, that a check just can't replicate. Am I wrong to think my time is actually the better gift?