Comments on: Care Bags

By: tasha

tasha — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 08:24:56 +0000

here is a link to a post by a homeless person with gift bag advice. gift bags for the homeless

By: Sue Diaz

Sue Diaz — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:06:57 +0000

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”!

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 19:01:04 +0000

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

By: Kristina

Kristina — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 20:47:10 +0000

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.

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 13:10:13 +0000

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…

By: Brit

Brit — Wed, 31 May 2006 11:29:58 +0000

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

By: Teri Connolly

Teri Connolly — Tue, 30 May 2006 20:46:39 +0000

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.

By: Rev. Sherrie Dailey

Rev. Sherrie Dailey — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:01:25 +0000

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.

By: Rev. Sherrie Dailey

Rev. Sherrie Dailey — Tue, 30 May 2006 16:56:00 +0000

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.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:19:09 +0000

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