Care Bags
These suggestions go with the Heartlight article “Haunting Eyes …”
What are some good things to put into care bags for folks on the street? They need to be practical, inexpensive, and easy to do. Here is my list, but I’m looking for your input on this, too!
A few things on my list:
All Year Essentials
Water
Cheese Crackers
Peanut Bags (Or better, almonds and possibly cashews, since many are allergic to peanuts!)
Fast Food Certificates
Deodorant
Soap
Tooth Brush & Tooth Paste
Socks
Cap
Copy of the New Testament or Gospel of John
Other Things
Plastic Rain Poncho
Space Blanket
Camping Pillow
Fruit Juice
Beef Jerky
What would you add?
What about things for first aid, a bandaid or two.
Resource list, (does your church offer help? Clinics that offer reduced cost care). Granola bars, instant soup (There’s always Ramman okay, spoken like a college student).
Just a few thoughts.
Nickie
28 May 06 at 5:56 pm
Maybe Diaper Wipes/wet ones
combs/brush
Donna
28 May 06 at 9:23 pm
I would suggest gloves (for colder climates), a homemade afghan, instant coffee or tea, and if you can afford it, the tuna fish that comes in a bag and not in the can. The fruit cups in the plastic cups/pull tops are also good. Both are healthy alternatives for people who don’t have a choice about eating healthy.
My uncle used to keep old shoes & sandals in the back of his truck when he made deliveries in L.A., and peanut butter sandwiches. Anyone he saw barefoot sitting in the street got a pair of shoes and lunch.
Don’t forget a washcloth and a small handtowel to go with the soap. And a plastic cup, fork & spoon.
If you have public transportation, a bus token or two helps a lot.
God bless you as you bless the least of these!
Terri
28 May 06 at 9:53 pm
What about grocery store certificates? This way they can buy little things they need, whether it be food or personal care items.
comb/brush
list of soup kitchens or shelters in the area
tissues
sunglasses (inexpensive but enough to protect the eyes)
sunblock if in the summer or in an area that stays hot all year long
Be cautious with peanuts ~ some people are extremely allergic and even the smell or touch of a bag that may have even a hint of the peanut on it could cause a severe allergic reaction
Deb
29 May 06 at 6:48 am
You’ve got to put in a copy of MacAddict or Mac World, don’t you?!?
On the serious side, how about an inexpensive tent. Like this:
http://store.smuoutdoorsupply.com/wibebitrte.html
Peace.
Steve
29 May 06 at 6:59 am
I really like the McDonalds gift card idea. We never give out cash, it may be used wrongly. That would solve that problem, great idea.
Our church is presently on Main St. and we get a lot of requests for help. I have come up with a saying that I say to our church board: “I’d rather err on the side of generousity, because God will bless that. If we err on the side of stinginess, He won’t bless that.”
Helping the poor and needy is tough at times. It’s hard to know how much to do.
Thanks for your devotion, for sharing your heart and helping us.
Have a great day
Mike Barres
\o/ Praise Him
http://www.dnet.net/user/mbarres
Mike Barres
29 May 06 at 7:49 am
Hi Phil,
Thank you for all your wonderful devotionals.
Your article on helping the needy really hit my heart.
At our church we have tried to start meals in a sock and keep in our car to give to someone in need. We take a pair of new crew socks in one side we put in a bottle of water and napkin and plastic utensils and the other side a can of pull top ravioli and fruit cocktail and granola bar. We also added a 4 spiritual laws track. Then we tie the socks together.
I love your idea of gettingm gift cards.
Anyways, thought I’d pass the idea–maybe you have heard of it.
Blessings to you and thank you again for sharing your Heartlight ministry with us.
Shari Yamamoto
Shari Yamamoto
29 May 06 at 9:11 am
First of all, Heartlight is the way I start my day. I go to the computer with my oatmeal and hot tea and read it. It sets the tone for my day! THANK YOU!!!!!
Ideas that come to mind …
a small pocket New Testament or just a few scriptures
A note that says “A good deed has been done for you in honor of our Lord.”
sample size of unopened stuff from motels you stay or travel size shampoo, hand cream, toothpaste
A mini package of kleenex (can double as toilet paper if needed)
$1.00 shop throw away poncho
Thanks for all you do to honor the Lord,
Jeanie
Jeanie
29 May 06 at 9:25 am
i currently sleep in a car and having something to wash up with just makes you feel a whole lot better. and deoderant and toothbrush and toothpaste makes you still feel like a human. i do not refuse to work, i worked all my life until i recently had an emotional breakdown. i still give to people in need if i have extra and i always will. its not our place to decide who deserves help, God will take care of that, He will look at where your heart was when you helped someone and that is all people should think of when helping the needy. what you did for them you did for Jesus.
also i have contacted my own church i am a member at and still put money in offering if i have it when there and they have not gotten back with me for over a month and i go sometimes 3 times a week to services. i guess my point is church seems like a business more than a hospital for the sick and dying and to me that is sad. it’s not about how many numbers you can put up for salvations and how much money you took in and then gave out. it’s about the everyday lives of the sheep God has given you to shepard and when you are too busy to help one of your sheep, have you lost the point? i still love my church but it does hurt and feel lonely.
i think i am learning to need only God, any way i am so glad to see that there are people out there who care for the less fortunate and you will be blessed for helping. when you turn away a needy person than you miss out on being a blessing and receiving a blessing and you miss out on helping Jesus. picture Him when someone asks for help. and don’t care so much what they are going to do with your help or what their motives are.
love in Christ, michele kay
michele kay
29 May 06 at 10:16 am
Thank you for helping me be better prepared.
Craisins or raisins and other fruits in sealed sacks (raisins in boxes go dry) might be better than nuts. More and more people are discovering sensitivities, if not full blown allerfic reactions, to any kind of nuts.
Leslie Mardenborough
29 May 06 at 10:19 am
It would be nice to add a package of sugarless-gum. I would wrap it up with a certificate that had a first name only on it that said … Cheri is praying for you today! Another idea would be to put a business sized card which said … One free hot shower and soft bed at the local shelter. This could be used at any time. No stipulations, only love and grace extended to you!
Cheri Dedman
29 May 06 at 10:25 am
I might add a little bit of candy
I know it’s not necessary, but it is very welcome. I did a service trip this year, and that was one of the items that the people got most excited about!
Maria
30 May 06 at 6:18 am
There are alot of great ideas on this site and I am sure that the homeless and needy appreciate them. But…sometimes we assuage our own guilt by giving a care package and thinking that this is enough. Giving a care package takes care of the individual’s immediate needs but does nothing to change their situation. Congregations can work together to find or start programs that offer job training or skills building. When a panel of homeless were asked, “What services are missing that would really make a difference in your life?”, they each answered an emphatic “EDUCATION!”. We must do more to help those in need move out of their situation.
I hope that God continues to bless everyone out there trying to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
Kate
Kate
30 May 06 at 9:19 am
In my ministry’s care bags, I have combs/brushes, razors, small shampoo/conditioner, soap, lotion, socks, nail clippers, emery boards, feminine products for ladies, chapstick, some mouthwash, gloves (winter), sm blankets, also have resource list for care, soup kitchens, sleeping, medical care, also have tracks, gum, granola, bandaids, breakfast bars, water, snacks like cookies and chips, candy bars. I also collect jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts and take bags downtown.
Be careful about the blankets as they sell them for cash and the gift certificates watch where they are from. Fuddruckers serves alcohol and I have seen homeless use the gift certificates for alcohol there instead of food.
I carry the bags in my car along with bottles of water to also hand out.
Rev. Sherrie Dailey
30 May 06 at 10:56 am
Also,
forgot have deodorant and small tissues.
I have been able to get people from my work and friends who travel to donate the small soaps, lotion and shampoo/conditioner from hotels.
Rev. Sherrie Dailey
30 May 06 at 11:01 am
Hi , some people are to proud to ask but what if you put in the bag directions to where they can get more help — a bath, a nites rest, hot meal.
People who are just stranded may not live in the town where they appear. I have seen many who have no clue how are where help is except they are hungry tired and scared.
Teri Connolly
30 May 06 at 2:46 pm
My school, near Portland actually, made care packages… they were pretty creative …
New pair of socks
Envelopes, stamps and papers to write a few letters
Bible (from the dollar tree)
Directions to the nearest Christian homeless shelter
Church schedules (although sadly, some churches would not welcome people unshowered and in rags)
It’s really great what you’re doing. In the words of Mother Teresa, “if we want to end world poverty, we need to get comfortable with poverty of our own.” – sacrifice isn’t sacrifice unless it costs something.
In His Grace,
Brit
Brit
31 May 06 at 5:29 am
I have nothing to add to your list except my thanks for the article! The fast food certificates were such a simple but wonderful idea…
Michele
2 Jun 06 at 7:10 am
Thanks for the great idea. I always wondered how I could help without giving cash directly. I just wanted to let everyone know that at Target stores in their dollar area, they have camping supplies, like first aid kits, swiss army type knives, and several other useful items for a dollar each. I know that all the stores where I live have this area by the front door. May God bless your work.
Kristina
3 Jun 06 at 2:47 pm
Helping the disenfranchised and loving your neighbor are at the center of our faith to be disciples. How many times, perhaps hundreds of times more, does scripture address these more than so many debatable issues. We frequently feel spiritually satisfied by going to a discussion class where we place our opinion, practice singing, or have “fellowship” talking about our favorite sports team than providing necessities to those in need. May God have mercy on us.
One thing to do is to visit the website http://www.thehungersite.com daily which provides one cup of food to the hungry in exchange for being exposed to their sponsors advertisements. I wonder if major corporations would sponsor similar programs for advertising audiences.
Your reference to Romans 12:1 in the devotional “Worship and the Ballpark”, as does your whole thought, in that article ties into that direction for our “worship”.
Craig
Craig
6 Jun 06 at 1:01 pm
My husband and I have both have worked in homeless ministries. Here are several suggestions I did not see on the lists:
Combs/brushes
Pop top cans of ravioli, spam, beenie weenies etc.
Instant drink powder ( such as kool aid or Crystal light)
pens / puzzle books
skin lotions
feminine hygiene products for women
Hard candies ( help with hunger pangs and to keep blood sugar levels from falling too low)
Pop top cans of fruit
sweetened dry cereal
backpacks ( to carry their stuff in)
instant soup mixes
trail mix
dried fruit / veggies
Tuna / chicken salad in a ready to eat package.
Small packages of crackers, peanuts, raisins
cheese & crackers packets
Resource list for medical help, food, emergency lodging / shelters, job training/counseling, educational counseling, mental health clinics, drug programs, etc.
Business cards with a contact person to help them contact these resources.
Pain patches, antibiotic cream, foot/body powder
If I think of more I will let you know. God bless each of you who undertake in this endeavor to reach out to the world by providing “one cup of water at a time”!
Sue Diaz
1 Jul 06 at 12:06 pm
here is a link to a post by a homeless person with gift bag advice. gift bags for the homeless
tasha
1 Aug 06 at 2:24 am