Can one give charity food for deceased to the poor and orphans, or is it forbidden. People in India, Pakistan and most of the Islamic world have done so for generations.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The best action which a live person could do for his deceased relative is to give charity on his/her behalf, i.e. donating while intending the reward for the deceased.

'Aa'ishah narrated that a man came to the Prophet and said: "My mother died suddenly and I think that if she were able to speak, she would have given charity. May I give charity on her behalf? He replied, "Yes! Give charity on her behalf." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It is also confirmed that Sa'd Ibn 'Ubaadah asked the Prophet if he can give charity on behalf of his dead mother and he permitted him to do so. [Al-Bukhari]

Indeed the scholars agreed in a consensus that charity and supplicating Allah to forgive the dead, reaches them. Ibn Al-Mubaarak said: “There is no difference of opinion that the reward of giving in charity on behalf of the dead reaches them."

Allah Knows best.