Lots of things can be sold for cash; in fact, most things can. But that’s not a reason to add it to a care package that is intended to provide things people might need and use, as opposed to barter.
Frankly, I think you are being disingenuous to try to make some comment about the lifestyles of these people.
If you’re thinking they can sell or barter them, why not just give cash? I understand some people are reluctant to give cash for fear it might be used to buy drugs, and we can argue all day about that, but if you’re giving them cigarettes on the assumption they can be sold…I don’t get it.
I’ve never done this. But while at the dollar store, on a whim, I remembered this thread and bought a few kits worth of random useful things (for adult males). Each one ended up costing about fifty dollars. Wonder how well they will be received. Couldn’t find portable radios at my dollar store, though. Tried to avoid stuff of obviously crappy quality.
There is a big difference between what is good in a hot summer or a cold winter. I am always surprised at how high the quality of some dollar store items are, and how shoddy and useless some other items are. I think they have improved a lot, though, especially in dollar stores that charge up to $5.
Dollar stores often carry multipacks of toothbrushes. I think anyone would appreciate a new toothbrush.
We use electric brushes, but the ones given to us at each cleaning appointment get donated to the local church or pantry for redistribution.
Yeah, I included a toothbrush and paste. I was able to get most of my above list plus a durable mesh bag to carry it. The most expensive items at $4 were sandals, packs of socks, combo shampoo/body wash, combo pair Swiss Army fork and Swiss Army spoon (each with half the usual attachments), waterproof suntan lotion, and lots of cheaper stuff. The cost of $60 or so does not include a sleeping bag, although there is an inflatable pillow. I couldn’t find a small portable radio there, though.
I carry small bags with me in the car that I can hand to those who ask for money. The items I select are socks, toothbrushes, sanitary napkins and lip balm/chapstick. I find it best to keep the package small.
That’s probably not a bad idea. You want efforts to be appreciated. You don’t necessarily want your effort to be resold. One can always give more negotiable things. Still, it’s an experiment of sorts.
I want to pakage to be small in size so they can carry it without dificulty.
Feminine hygiene products, socks and wet wipes are the items most requested by our homeless shelter (we collect items for donation at my employer and drop them off monthly).
There is a national shortage of coins because so many of us dump our spare change in jars and turn turn it into cash when the jar is full.
Banks around here won’t take coins unless they are rolled and I don’t need the cash badly enough to bother.
I sorted the coins into 10 dollar piles and bagged them up. Homeless folks seem to like to get handed 10 dollars, even if it is coins. I am assuming that the coins end up back in circulation very shortly there after. (I still have a big pile of pennies left over because I only put 20 in each bag, but oh well.)
It was 101 degrees here this afternoon in the south part of town. I had a couple of nice approximately 2 cubic ft. capacity styrofoam ice chests at work and unlimited ice cubes. The ice chests were going to end up in the trash anyway. So I filled them with ice cubes and gave them two the first two people I saw at an intersection begging for money. I thought it might be nice to have on a day like this. Only one even barely said thanks even though they both said they wanted them. I just happened to be driving by later and it looked like one had already been abandoned. So much for trying to be nice to people.
There’s a national shortage of coins because banks and Coin*Star etc. haven’t been accepting them during the pandemic and they’re not recirculating well because of that, not because people are hoarding them more than usual. But sure, cash is always helpful to the homeless.
I think its possible that you didn’t read this part of my post: Banks around here won’t take coins unless they are rolled and I don’t need the cash badly enough to bother.
As a result folks are “hoarding” them more because most folks who can afford to toss coins into a jar or something, really don’t need the cash and won’t care to deal with the effort of cashing in the coinage.
Homeless folks put that “hoarded” coinage right back into circulation. At this time, does it really matter if they use it for booze or smokes?
Bag up your change folks, you could give a homeless person a happy moment.
I keep brown bag lunches in my car to give out to people. I don’t like giving out money, but few people refuse food, and once in a while, people ask if they can have an extra. I even have a few regulars.
I use non-perishables.
I buy packs of crackers, individuals tubs of peanut butter, envelopes of tuna or chicken salad, cereal bars that are iron fortified, brand-name chips, lunchbox-sized containers of fruit or applesauce that are vitamin C fortified, pudding cups that are calcium-fortified, and some kind of treat, because it’s good, and a lot of street people are really thin. Also a meal bar of some kind that can be pocketed for later.
I try to be mindful of the fact that a lot of them don’t have teeth in great shape, although I do include a stick of sugarless gum with xylitol, because if someone does have teeth they want to take care of, chewing gum with xylitol after eating is a fairly good substitute for brushing, when brushing isn’t a choice. I also put a paper napkin and a compostible, disposable spoon in each one, along with a wet nap in a wrapper for a little washing before eating.
In warm weather, I hand out bottles of water too.
I don’t put water in the bags, because it tears them, and because most people I observe manage to get drinks, so I think there are lots of people handing out water, but not as many handing out food.
Since giving a needy person a meal is a mitzvah of Purim, I have my religious school pack bags once a year in March or so, and put them on a tub, and then keep 3 or 4 in my car at all times.
The kids always love this activity.