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TyZa
05-19-2016, 02:35 AM
Hello everyone,

I apologize if this has been posted before but I did not see anything using search.

Homeless Care Packages is something I have done before and want to start doing again soon. I just wanted to post the general idea here if anyone wants to do something similar. Also, please be advised of any particular laws in your area that makes feeding the homeless illegal (rolls eyes).

Anyway, I saw the idea online and if you search "Homeless Care Packages" you can get some good lists/ideas. I would go to a dollar tree (a store where everything is $1) and buy multiple of the following items:

Socks
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Water bottle
Mini first aid kit
Soap
Shampoo
Comb/brush
Canned meats
Crackers/various other food
Sunscreen
Lotion
Chapstick/lip balm
Fingernail clippers
Non-alcoholic hand sanitizer
Candy/gum (figured it may lift their spirits)
Pack of tissues/wipes
Duct tape (I heard that's very useful when homeless)
Space blanket
Etc.

I would buy multiple amounts of these items and pack small backpacks or easily carried bags with each of these items and more. You can also include in the package a list of contact information and locations for food banks, shelters, assistance programs, etc.

I would keep these bags in my car and if I saw anyone who was homeless I would hand them a bag. No judgement on whether they were actually in need or not. However, every single time I gave out a bag the people were extremely grateful or shocked by what I gave them.

You can make smaller kits with just essentials or tailor the kits for different needs. My goal was just to make at least one other human being's life at little easier (even if small) and show them that people do actually care.

Just wanted to share this idea in case anyone hasn't heard of it before and would like to try it.

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Geika
05-19-2016, 02:42 AM
Wonderful, thank you!

Gassho, gassho

Sat today

Jundo
05-19-2016, 03:14 AM
Great. Maybe we could make this one of our upcoming projects here?

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

TyZa
05-19-2016, 03:41 AM
Since I am still very new here, what is the best way to make this an upcoming project (assuming members are interested)?

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Jundo
05-19-2016, 12:38 PM
Since I am still very new here, what is the best way to make this an upcoming project (assuming members are interested)?

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Contact our Shugen, please, who leads our Engaged Center.

Gassho, Jundo

Myosha
05-19-2016, 01:00 PM
Hello everyone,

I apologize if this has been posted before but I did not see anything using search.

Homeless Care Packages is something I have done before and want to start doing again soon. I just wanted to post the general idea here if anyone wants to do something similar. Also, please be advised of any particular laws in your area that makes feeding the homeless illegal (rolls eyes).

Anyway, I saw the idea online and if you search "Homeless Care Packages" you can get some good lists/ideas. I would go to a dollar tree (a store where everything is $1) and buy multiple of the following items:

Socks
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Water bottle
Mini first aid kit
Soap
Shampoo
Comb/brush
Canned meats
Crackers/various other food
Sunscreen
Lotion
Chapstick/lip balm
Fingernail clippers
Non-alcoholic hand sanitizer
Candy/gum (figured it may lift their spirits)
Pack of tissues/wipes
Duct tape (I heard that's very useful when homeless)
Space blanket
Etc.

I would buy multiple amounts of these items and pack small backpacks or easily carried bags with each of these items and more. You can also include in the package a list of contact information and locations for food banks, shelters, assistance programs, etc.

I would keep these bags in my car and if I saw anyone who was homeless I would hand them a bag. No judgement on whether they were actually in need or not. However, every single time I gave out a bag the people were extremely grateful or shocked by what I gave them.

You can make smaller kits with just essentials or tailor the kits for different needs. My goal was just to make at least one other human being's life at little easier (even if small) and show them that people do actually care.

Just wanted to share this idea in case anyone hasn't heard of it before and would like to try it.

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Hello,

Not to mention, the above would make a great emergency kit kept in any vehicle!

Thank you for the lesson.


Gassho
Myosha sat today

Mp
05-19-2016, 01:36 PM
Lovely Tyler ... a wonderful way to give back. =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

Geika
05-19-2016, 02:36 PM
Good point, Myosha!

Gassho, sat today

TyZa
05-19-2016, 07:35 PM
Myosha, you're right. I would be a good idea to keep one in your car (maybe a larger first aid kit). Thanks!

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Shugen
05-19-2016, 08:00 PM
Hello everyone,

I apologize if this has been posted before but I did not see anything using search.

Homeless Care Packages is something I have done before and want to start doing again soon. I just wanted to post the general idea here if anyone wants to do something similar. Also, please be advised of any particular laws in your area that makes feeding the homeless illegal (rolls eyes).

Anyway, I saw the idea online and if you search "Homeless Care Packages" you can get some good lists/ideas. I would go to a dollar tree (a store where everything is $1) and buy multiple of the following items:

Socks
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Water bottle
Mini first aid kit
Soap
Shampoo
Comb/brush
Canned meats
Crackers/various other food
Sunscreen
Lotion
Chapstick/lip balm
Fingernail clippers
Non-alcoholic hand sanitizer
Candy/gum (figured it may lift their spirits)
Pack of tissues/wipes
Duct tape (I heard that's very useful when homeless)
Space blanket
Etc.

I would buy multiple amounts of these items and pack small backpacks or easily carried bags with each of these items and more. You can also include in the package a list of contact information and locations for food banks, shelters, assistance programs, etc.

I would keep these bags in my car and if I saw anyone who was homeless I would hand them a bag. No judgement on whether they were actually in need or not. However, every single time I gave out a bag the people were extremely grateful or shocked by what I gave them.

You can make smaller kits with just essentials or tailor the kits for different needs. My goal was just to make at least one other human being's life at little easier (even if small) and show them that people do actually care.

Just wanted to share this idea in case anyone hasn't heard of it before and would like to try it.

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

What a great idea!

Thank you,

Shugen

#sattoday

Jundo
05-20-2016, 01:31 AM
Hello,

Not to mention, the above would make a great emergency kit kept in any vehicle!

Thank you for the lesson.


Gassho
Myosha sat today

A bit off topic, but this reminds me of a conversation I once overheard with a Japanese Roshi here in Japan, earthquake land. Someone asked, "If we are to accept all things just as they are, and all things as they come, why prepare"? He answered something like, "Accept all things as they come. Accept earthquakes. Accept your preparations. Accept having plenty of batteries". :p

Gassho, J

SatToday

KellyRok
05-20-2016, 12:44 PM
This is truly a wonderful idea Tyler! Thank you for offering it to us along with a great supply list. I would definitely be interested in doing something like this.

Gassho,
Kelly/Jinmei

TyZa
05-21-2016, 06:04 AM
"Accept all things as they come. Accept earthquakes. Accept your preparations. Accept having plenty of batteries".

Haha, wonderful advice! :)

Gassho,
Tyler.

SatToday

Marco
05-22-2016, 11:46 AM
I love this idea Tyler!

My wife and I are looking for simple ways to get our kids involved in charity; I think going through this entire process together with them (creating a list, shopping, etc.) would be a great way to spend an afternoon with them.

Thank you for the inspiration :)

Gassho,
Marco

Theophan
05-22-2016, 06:42 PM
Tyza,
Thank you for this wonderful idea.
Gassho.

Theophan
(Sekishi)
Sat Today

Troy
05-28-2016, 04:19 PM
Wonderful, thank you for sharing. Sounds like a wonderful family project


..sat2day•合掌

Shugen
06-21-2016, 03:02 PM
Hello all,

Thank you again Tyler for this wonderful idea!

Where I live, it is starting to get very hot. Even if we can't provide everything, perhaps some bottles of water? (I am not a fan of bottled water, but can not think of a feasible alternative..... ideas anyone?)

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday

Troy
06-21-2016, 06:09 PM
We made some care packages a couple weeks ago. Ours had a toothbrush, toothpaste, food, flip flops, socks and a small key chain flashlight. Stay away from chewy or sticky foods because the homeless often don't get the dental care they need and those types of foods can irritate their mouths. We used gallon zip lock bags for packaging.


..sat2day•合掌

Shugen
06-21-2016, 10:31 PM
We made some care packages a couple weeks ago. Ours had a toothbrush, toothpaste, food, flip flops, socks and a small key chain flashlight. Stay away from chewy or sticky foods because the homeless often don't get the dental care they need and those types of foods can irritate their mouths. We used gallon zip lock bags for packaging.


..sat2day•合掌

Very good suggestion. Thank you.

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday


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TyZa
06-22-2016, 04:37 AM
We made some care packages a couple weeks ago. Ours had a toothbrush, toothpaste, food, flip flops, socks and a small key chain flashlight. Stay away from chewy or sticky foods because the homeless often don't get the dental care they need and those types of foods can irritate their mouths. We used gallon zip lock bags for packaging.


..sat2day•合掌

Great to hear it Troy! And good suggestion about chewy/sticky foods. Flip flops are a great idea!

Regarding the bottled water issue, I usually include a reusable water bottle that was empty (I didn't want the pack to be too heavy). Maybe if you are in a larger city you could include a list of shelters/homeless friendly locations where they could fill up the bottles (possibly churches? I can't imagine many churches would turn away homeless people from using a little of their water to fill their bottles). Worse comes to worse (at least in the city) they could fill the bottles up from water spouts located outside many businesses or faucets in restrooms. I know that may sound gross to some but it's the same water out of the tap.

Other thoughts I've floated were buying a bunch of prepaid cards for places like subway or the like. That way they can get a drink (unlimited refills in the States at least) and a sandwich or two. Or possibly buying a bunch of prepaid bus cards so the homeless can have better access to shelters and food banks.

It was over 110 F heat index (43.3C) a little while ago where I live, so this is definitely an issue. Most of the homeless I see always have a reusable water bottle with them. So they are getting the water from some sources, I just hope it is from safe potable sources. The larger cities seem to have more resources for the homeless than smaller cities or towns, which is where I worry about them not having sufficient water the most.

Gassho,
Tyler

SatToday

Shugen
06-22-2016, 02:48 PM
Wonderful ideas!

Thank you,

Shugen

#sattoday


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Meishin
06-22-2016, 08:29 PM
Hi,

Our daughter and her friends had a party (wine tasting, actually), and made up many such packages. Then they passed them out to other friends who carry them in their cars. Homeless folk stand at intersections, and it is simple to hand them a package. It's now become a tradition. Win win win.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

Shugen
06-22-2016, 09:29 PM
Hi,

Our daughter and her friends had a party (wine tasting, actually), and made up many such packages. Then they passed them out to other friends who carry them in their cars. Homeless folk stand at intersections, and it is simple to hand them a package. It's now become a tradition. Win win win.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

That makes me smile. [emoji3]

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday


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Tai Shi
06-22-2016, 09:49 PM
Hi All,

At one time I was a member of a church, and we made up boxes for children. We have a homeless shelter that includes families,
These might include, as well as health and safety items:
crayons
coloring books
non hazardous toys
blunt nose scissors
Notebooks
stick glue
pencils
pencil sharpeners
rulers


So many children cannot afford basic school supplies. And something for fun.

Just a thought.
Tai Shi
std
Gassho

TyZa
06-23-2016, 01:45 AM
Hi,

Our daughter and her friends had a party (wine tasting, actually), and made up many such packages. Then they passed them out to other friends who carry them in their cars. Homeless folk stand at intersections, and it is simple to hand them a package. It's now become a tradition. Win win win.


That's fantastic Meishin! Glad to seen another Texan by the way :encouragement:


Hi All,

At one time I was a member of a church, and we made up boxes for children. We have a homeless shelter that includes families,
These might include, as well as health and safety items:
crayons
coloring books
non hazardous toys
blunt nose scissors
Notebooks
stick glue
pencils
pencil sharpeners
rulers


So many children cannot afford basic school supplies. And something for fun.



That's a great idea Tai Shi. Another way to help kids that way if you can't physically do that in person is through Donor's Choose. The website allows you to donate to many classrooms in low-income schools that the school can't fit in its budget. Sometimes it is things as simple as arts and crafts and books for their library.