When people consider their options when looking for a newer model vehicle, one possibility is to donate used cars in New York to charities. Owners get a tax break and charities profit from selling their stocks.

Unfortunately, the nonprofits say that the Cash for Clunkers program has had a negative effect on their ability to raise funds for initiatives like housing and feeding the homeless, which is the aim of Mission Solano in California.

“Those profits were already down as consumers hold onto old cars longer or broker their own sales to weather the bad economy,” says Ron Marlette, the organization’s executive director. “But, the Cash for Clunkers program is also hurting those who traditionally turn to the Mission to buy low priced transportation.”

It also hurts the prospects of those who may want to buy used cars that are within their price range, but are unable to do so because the vehicles are now marked “Not for sale – must be crushed,” he added

Further east, some charities in Chicago say they will be lucky to have sales reach 25 percent of their height, according to CBS News.