I have also left many things on the curb and it has all disappeared before the day was over--sometimes before I get back in the house.

Our neighborhood has a forum where you can post for buy/sell/trade and a separate forum for free stuff. Along with household items we've saved trees, plant clippings, herbs and extra materials of all kinds (like paint and crafts) from the trash. We just include a note when and were, porch or alley, we're going to leave it and everything works out great. While it would be slower, I think this could also work in a printed neighborhood newsletter.