Our local Girl Scout Troop just did this. This is a great idea. Their flyer put door-to-door did use the word "needy". I can only think of "less fortunate or in need".
Our district has 11 needy families that are unknown to anyone but the office staff. We are planning on having complete Thanksgiving dinners put together and delivered to these families. I am looking for better wording than needy families. I am making a flyer to send home asking the children to bring in items for the baskets and want them to know that the food will be going to families in out school district. Does anyone else do this, if so could you send me a copy of your flyer.