It occurred to me today, as I passed a homeless person, that it would be nice to have a few care packages in the car to hand out. I’m looking for help as to what to put into them. I’d also like to keep the cost down to where I could some of these every month, rather than one a year.
A few thoughts:
-Portable food, such as protein bars
-Ditto for pets, if they have them
-Hand wipes
-Fast food meal cards?
-Grocery store voucher?
-Laundry tokens?
-???
Any suggestions welcome.
How about a pillow, or a blanket.
A good pair of socks are probably highly valued.
ETA: Feminine hygiene products for women!
I’ve heard that one of the most commonly requested items for donations to homeless shelters are new socks.
Ninja’d by that crafty Moriarty
That’s a nice idea. I’m going to map my thoughts since I might try it too. The ideal kit may differ by age, sex, area, climate and degree of homelessness. Ideal items are cheap, light, useful and easily available (say at dollar stores). Basic needs are security, comfort, food and drink, pleasure and work. Alcohol based products (hand washing liquid, cologne) can be misused.
Security: whistle, flashlight, lock
Comfort: waterproof poncho, blanket, inflatable pillow, puffer coat with hood, socks, footwear, winter clothing, rain gear, camping (cheap sleeping bag, tent) stuff
More comfort: aerosol deodorant, tooth care, hygiene products, small amount anti inflammatory, moisturizer, suntan lotion, lip balm, basic cosmetics, insect bite care
Food: plastic plate, mug, cutlery. High density food - bars, nuts, fruit, cheese. Fast food or coffee shop certificates probably a nice idea. Something tasty as a treat. Powdered drink mix?
Pleasure: pen, paper, cheap music (MP3?), flowers (for women), playing cards, games, art supplies?
Work: help with signs?, odd jobs? Referral to local shelters and services?
Other stuff: dollar store toolkit or sewing kit, blister care, condoms?, mirror, scissors, dollar store Swiss Army knife?, hand wipes
Container: large waterproof bag, duffel, bucket? Mexican markets sell cool, colourful, cheap, large, light durable fabric bags which would be perfect - unsure of local equivalents.
For pets, dehydrated liver bites are light, cheap and at dollar stores. Pet toys and waste bags?
Grocery store vouchers a good idea.
Your local shelter or food bank would have better ideas than I do.
Good luck!
Well done, you, Sunny Daze.
This is something I do, too. It’s a group effort among friends. Here’s a link to an earlier post I made about it.
I understand you want to expand your efforts to more than once a year, so let me just add that some of my pals carry several bags. We collect stuff all year long from the thrift stores (good pickings in my area!), so it’s all done very much on the cheap. Once you have a few bags ahead, it’s not hard to keep making them so you have a steady supply.
We try not to make them super heavy, and we understand a lot of the stuff will be useful for trade or sale. That’s ok.
I hope your experiences with this will be as generally positive as mine have been.
Good for you Aspenglow!
Thank you for the map Dr. Paprika. It’s very helpful.
I had the thought that small toiletries (travel size?) might be good.
I’d like to help out with a safe place to bathe, but nothing is coming to mind yet. Local campground maybe? Some sort of arrangement with the city park service? Still pondering.
Pack of generic smokes. They’re currency on the street
It’s not prison.
Someone in my area posted on a local FB group that they are handing out small nylon drawstring backpacks (like these) and asking people to fill them and return them for distribution. They suggest “You can write a special message on the bag and fill it with specific items - gently used T-shirt (ideally size large), pair of black athletic socks, and any other SMALL toiletries items, wash cloth, Kleenex, granola bars, lotion, hand sanitizer, flash light, batteries, be creative.”
Also, I was recently introduced to body wipes when my dad was in the hospital. They gave him a few packs to use in lieu of showers. I took a pack home and they’re quite nice - large and sturdy and soft, much more than just a hand wipe or those Cottonelle butt wipes. They would really come in handy for someone on the street!
Oh and yes, feminine hygiene is the #1 requested item from our local shelter. I make sure I buy the name brand stuff, something I’d want to use myself. I’m not trying to force my homeless homegirls to use cardboard applicators or diaper-like pads. They get Tampax Pearls and Always Super Thin!
When I was poor and homeless, my one wish was for high end junk food. The local food bank wouldn’t accept any junk food items, and the lower price stuff is not the same.
I vote for Pepperidge Farm cookies.
I do this too! It’s easy to keep a couple of them in the car, within arm’s reach. Hygiene items are good too. High-end snacks — great idea Annie.
You’re welcome. When I picked up my December food package, there were a group of young people handing out Pepperidge Farm cookie bags outside the church. What a wonderful gift!
I sometimes have a few quart zipper bags in my car. Two pair of socks along with a toothbrush and small tube of paste as well as a $5 bill. If I have any food cards for fast food I’ll add one of those as well.
You folks have added some good suggestions.
Think of the stuff that’s useful when camping - food that doesn’t require microwaves, that sort of thing. Maybe a tiny LED flashlight? Make sure it’s got fresh batteries.
Only other suggestion that comes to mind (and it may be too expensive) but generic multivitamins would probably be appreciated. Livin’ on the streets doesn’t usually enable a healthy diet.
Can you buy small radios at a dollar store? Will have to see next time I go.
One food bag I got had a baggie with quarters in it and a note saying “For laundry only:)”.
Maybe a backpack would be the most useful container.
Currency is also currency on the streets.
A handwritten note might be nice.
My friend has a kid in Girl Scouts; they’re soliciting money to give cookies to the homeless folks. I think it’s a lovely idea. Who doesn’t want Thin Mints? And they’re up to $5/box now, so definitely a luxury item.
In that they can be sold for cash. And are.