take the car example. I know people who have gotten donated cars. usually they are cars that someone else is totally done with. it costs hundreds to transfer title, and, of those who I know, the cars required hundreds of dollars in repairs right away, with thousands over the next years. and then they couldnt afford it but couldnt ask for financial help to get another, functional, less costly car because they had already accepted a *free* one.
its really hard to know anything from the outside.