There are so many ways to fill a care package meant for those without a home. The hard part is picking lasting and compact items that people often need. If you’d like to get an idea of what to include in care packages for the homeless, read our guide.
Non-Perishable Foods
One way to get your care package started is with non-perishable foods. Protein bars or peanut butter crackers offer good sources of energy for people that go awhile between meals. Applesauce or dried fruit provide effective ways for people to get nutrients they don’t have easy access to on the street. One particularly compact option to include for more protein, fat, and carbohydrates is beef jerky.
Warm Socks
Socks are always welcome, especially during the harsh winter months. They can easily fit into a care package too. They keep frostbite and dangerous bacteria at bay, which leads to a better quality of life for those using them.
Hygiene Products
Taking care of oneself helps maintain overall health, and so certain hygiene products are valuable additions to a care package. Deodorant, nail clippers, razors, and feminine products can all get included. There are even pre-assembled hygiene kits you can buy in bulk that pack many core cleaning products into a useful zip lock bag.
Water Bottle
Reuse is key for items in a care package kit. Durable water bottles homeless individuals can reuse for years allows them to access water when they need it. This affords a sense of security and predictability to people who don’t typically experience either.Reuse is key for items in a care package kit. Durable water bottles homeless individuals can reuse for years allows them to access water when they need it. This affords a sense of security and predictability to people who don’t typically experience either.
Bandages
Blisters are a recurring problem for people who must move from place to place. Bandages provide another helpful item to include in care packages for the homeless because they protect the blister and give them a chance to heal undisturbed. Bandages are also useful for other cuts or injuries that occur.
Zip Lock Bag
You can put all of these functional items in a sealable zip lock bag to complete your care package. These bags have multiple functions. You can store food that’s otherwise difficult to handle, keep clean clothes separate, and do so much more.
Handwritten Note
A touching personal gesture is a handwritten (or at least typed) note. This can signal to the recipient that you care about them as an individual, and you can provide them words of encouragement that they may not often hear.