What’s best to put in care packages for people experiencing homelessness?
It was a couple of summers ago when my kids came bursting through the door clutching Ziplock bags full of granola bars, water bottles and more.
“We made Good Samaritan Bags at church!” they roared. “They’re care packages for the homeless to keep in the car and hand out whenever we see someone who needs one.”
I’ve loved this idea ever since, and now we’re making them ourselves.
What we include in care packages for the homeless:
Choose any combination of these items. If you don’t have every single one, don’t let that stop you from giving out a smaller package, and making someone’s day.
- Granola bar
- Fruit snacks
- Applesauce
- Crackers with peanut butter or cheese
- Water bottle
- New socks
- Wipes
- Lifesavers or sugar free gum
- Chapstick
- Deodorant (I love this Old Spice Fiji scent because it works for men or women and doesn’t include aluminum. I wear it myself every day.)
- Hand lotion
- Dental floss
- Hand written note or picture
- Good book
These care packages won’t solve homelessness but they will let someone know that they are cared for on that day.
And that’s the point.
Whatever your political/religious/personal views of homelessness are, it’s hard to argue with the story of the Good Samaritan.
The Story of the Good Samaritan
Stick with me here because I’m going to talk about the bible but don’t hit the “back” button just yet. You might like this one. It’s got all the makings of a great tale: crime, hypocrisy and love conquering all.
The story of the Good Samaritan is a parable Jesus told. In front of a crowd of people, someone asked him how to get to heaven. Jesus said it came down to two things: love God and love each other. It’s actually when he said that famous line: “love thy neighbor”. His followers responded with something like “Okay, I can do that. But, um, who is my neighbor?” He could have just said EVERYONE but since that might not have sunk in, Jesus told a story to illustrate his point. Here it is:
A traveler is robbed and beaten, left on the side of a busy pedestrian road for dead.
When a priest (a holy leader) comes by and sees the man, he doesn’t stop to help. In fact, he crosses the road to avoid him.
Then a Levite (also seen as holy because he’s a descendant from one of the 12 original tribes of Israel) sees the man. He doesn’t help either.
But when a Samaritan (one of the most despised members of Jewish society) sees the man, HE stops. (Keep in mind, the crowd would’ve gasped here. Depending on your leanings, fill in the blank with “Muslim”, “Terrorist”, “Democrat”, “Pro-Lifer”, “NRA lobbyist” to get a picture of who this Samaritan is in Jewish society.) Shockingly, this sworn enemy addresses the man’s wounds. In fact, he takes time out of his busy day to bring the man to a local inn. The Samaritan goes on to pay for the man’s stay–a complete stranger–and even asks the innkeeper to keep track of any incidentals. “Put it on my tab”, the Samaritan says.
Things the Samaritan didn’t say:
“That guy shouldn’t have been traveling on this busy road alone. It’s dangerous.”
“I’d help but then I’d be late.”
“Someone else will probably take care of it.”
“I’ve got enough problems of my own.”
“Some people are just beyond saving.”
The Samaritan, of all people, turned out to be the only one who got it.
To me, the whole point of life is taking care of each other. And “each other” is all people. Whether I like them, agree with them, respect them or fear them.
This is not always easy. I don’t always get it right. But I’m sure trying.
So when we hand out these care packages this winter, chances are we won’t know anything about the recipients. Why they’re standing on a street corner with a sign, what got them there, whether they have a drinking problem, if mental health is an issue.
All we’ll know is that they could use a little help.
And that’s exactly what we’ll be prepared to offer with these care packages for the homeless.
p.s. Here are our other favorite ideas for giving back as a family, and what food banks need most.
Practicing random acts of kindness. Thank you, I’m putting care packages together today for the homeless. May lovely things come your way.
So awesome… thank you and God bless you.
We all need some kind of help at sometime in our lives…. Dont ever say not me.!… Its better to give than to recieve …IS so true… No matter how big or small you can make someones day… Give what u can to local charity’s , churches, or anyone in need.. God wants us to help each other…. God bless anyone reading this..
Love it! Thanks for this list.
A really useful article, kindness is helping others and expecting nothing in return. I have made an online store with a waterproof care-package filled with most of the items on this article. I really believe an act of kindness like giving a blessing bag can have a tremendous effect on a homeless person.
http://www.bags4thehomeless.com
Hello and thank you. I am grateful for this care package list! Why o why do i only remember I want to i feel the urge to unScooge myself only during Yule??! But I thank you. I can adjust this list for any time of year!!
I LOVE the idea of care packs
i think this is great!
Thanks!
I literally just cried my eyes out reading this but is so true and so important!
I know. That’s really all I can say, right? Boy, I know.
Thank you for the ideas. I am a quilter and see up bags out of placemats. I’ve been looking for things to put in them for the homeless and now can use your list.
This is a wonderful idea. Maybe edit out the peanut butter. If they have a peanut allergy, the whole bag could be contaminated and dangerous for them.
Thanks~. I was looking for some resources online to get other peoples’ thoughts on what to include, having come across the idea some time ago, and thinking again about wanting to make a point to put these together sometime.
I checked some other sources too, but this is the first place I saw a recommendation to include a good book! It makes sense to me. Something pleasant to pass the time. Maybe I could also spread appreciation for my literary tastes that way, who knows? =)
What a wonderful idea. There are so many people hurting in the world today during the pandemic. Just a simple gesture is and act of kindness taught to us from God. Interestingly, this was the exact message in church today!
Thank you for sharing how we can pay it forward if we have been blessed ourselves.
Nice article. I’ve recently started gathering supplies for care packages because I usually just keep a bunch of singles in my car but I thought a well designed care package would be more economical since the current inflation crisis is hitting basic items like food and toiletries the most, and the homeless don’t have the luxury of ordering in bulk online (usually they only have access to convenience stores, which are more expensive even without inflation).
God bless everyone who takes the time to read this article!
One thing I hear a lot though is to avoid things like hard granola bars and beef jerky because so many homeless people have dental issues. One of the most recommended food items are tuna and cracker packs because they are nutritionally balanced and easy to eat.
Also heard to avoid clothing, with the exception of high quality socks and gloves, because of sizing issues and the fact that most homeless centers have plenty of clothing.
I like to imagine myself in a situation where I had to live out of a backpack for a week and imagine what I would bring with me – then eliminate some of the “no-no” items that experts in homeless outreach say not to give out. Food and water are essential for all human beings so easy to eat, nutritious, and non perishable foods are great, and then I think about how I would care for myself without regular access to a bathroom, sink, shower, etc. I’d definitely need a lot of wet wipes (very versatile) and also a basic comb and nail clipper.
Finally, first aid. Bain’s-aids and gauze, some body lotion, some of those single use OTC medication packs, all are good.
I’m planning to come up with two care packages – one for cold months and one for hot months, plus a small “add on” pack containing pads and tampons for homeless women (rare where I live but I’m sure they are out there).
Im hoping to find a bulk source of those little fabric drawstring duffle bags to pack everything in and then look for bulk sources of everything else, and also post a list of needed items at work and see if anyone donates. Also thinking about collecting money to pay for this but idk how complicated it is tax-wise and legally to solicit cash donations to help me buy this stuff. Is it ok to collect cash or start a kickstarter as long as I’m only taking in no more than a couple hundred dollars a month?
Finally, everyone needs to write their congressman about the homeless crisis (actually send them a letter, don’t just complain on social media). Official letters to your representative are actually read and tracked (by their staff) and DO make a difference. When I hear of the government spending billions sending weapons halfway around the world or paying off the loans of young college grads making six figures, it infuriates me because imagine the difference that they could make if they spent a couple billion on care packages!