Blog Post Six

So What Exactly Are In Our Food And Hygiene Bags?

Our food and hygiene bags are how we offer practical kindness to people living on the streets. We started making these bags many years ago when we wanted a way to respond to people asking for money. There is no denying that many homeless people have addiction issues and collecting money at an intersection can be a lucrative way to feed that addiction. So we started putting together bags with basic common sense necessities that feed people, not their addiction. Our idea was to think like a hiker. What would you want to take hiking with you? Simple, no nonsense, quick and easy snacks that will provide energy and stamina. Some things we include are:

1) Packs of Sandwich Crackers

2) Granola bars

3) Canned nuts (A favorite, filled with protein and salt and calorie dense)

4) Tuna packets

5) Hot cocoa packets (useful for some people that can get a cup of hot water from a gas station)

6) Bottles of water

7) Soup Packets/ Ramen

8) Gummy snacks or sweet fruit like raisins

Hygiene Items (Contained in a separate Quart size zip-Lock)

1)Toothbrush/ Toothpaste (Individually wrapped)

2) Travel size Deodorant

3) Travel Shampoo/Condition Set

4) Razor

5) Bar of soap

6) Small lotion/ sunscreen in summer

7) Pair of new clean socks

8) Feminine products that you can offer if appropriate.

COVID Readiness Packs

These are new packs we’ve been putting together to help people be able to maintain a higher level of hygiene during COVID. These include:

2-3 disposable masks

Small container of hand sanitizer

small pack of sanitizing wipes

These are just some ideas that have worked well for us over the years. Certainly use what you have or can afford, but try to think about things that will sustain someone for more than one meal or one day to be most impactful. Many of these items can be bought in bulk or purchased inexpensively at a dollar store. Starting with 5 bags to keep in your car will help you feel more prepared and compassionate when you are face to face with someone asking for help.

Going further….

Some other ideas that can be helpful are:

Writing Bible verses on the bags or writing a quick note of encouragement to put in the bag.

Buying $25 worth of Fast food gift cards in $5 increments to give out if the situation allows. You can also add them to the bags.

A deck of cards, small New Testament, or some other uplifting “gift” is another nice addition.

Enjoy making your bags and sharing kindness with others.

-Gear For The Homeless