How to Make a Care Package for the Homeless
Between two and four million men, women and children are estimated to experience homelessness in a given year. The homeless epidemic is caused by a variety of reasons including, drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness and domestic violence. Social service, church and community organizations have goals to get the homeless off the street and into housing. But until that goal is met there are ways to help the homeless while they are still living on the street. Follow the steps below to make a care package for the homeless.
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Things You'll Need
- Backpacks
- Non-perishable food items
- Hats, socks, gloves
- Addresses to shelters, missions
Instructions
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1
Call local businesses to donate. Some of the items you will use in a care package can be bought at dollar stores, grocery stores and drug stores. Call local businesses and ask if they would like to donate any items.
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2
Use backpacks. The care package items can be placed in a backpack. This is a functional item someone living on the streets can use repeatedly.
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3
Select small non-perishable food items. Individual fruit cups, packages of crackers, nuts, dried fruit and meat sticks are a good choice. Select foods that do not require a can opener or a refrigerator.
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4
Buy items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, flashlights, hats and gloves. Anything you can think of that is small enough to put in the backpack and would help someone living on the street to stay warm will do. Depending on your budget shop at thrift stores, dollar stores or buy in bulk.
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Pack the backpacks with the items you bought. Leave a small amount of room in each pack so the person receiving the package can carry their own stuff. Include a card with phone numbers and addresses to missions, shelters and soup kitchens in the area.
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Contact local organizations which help the homeless. Many agencies can be found in the phone book, or through a church. Inform them about the care packages. They will be happy to distribute the items.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep receipts on everything you bought. This is considered charitable work and will be tax deductible.
It is better to work with an agency for delivery of the care packages then do it yourself. They know the locations to go and can do so safely.
