Items collected for poor little children (5)
I believe the answer is:
mites
'little children' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'items collected for poor' is the wordplay.
'items' anagrams to 'MITES'.
Though, I'm not sure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mites that I've seen before include "Times (anag.)" , "Small arachnids" , "Minute arachnids that infest animals and stored foods" , "Minute creatures that infest animals and food" , "Widows' contributions?" .)