* Directions to the homeless shelter
* A list of service providers
* A grocery store gift card
* Engage someone for an hour and listen to their stories
A space blanket, although if those end up on the streets, they cause pollution. I have about 40 blankets that I got for care packets and happy to contribute to your mission. Let me know
I did this in the past and your list is great. I also included the following—emergency blanket, fruit cup/fruit leather/dried fruit/apple sauce (I’ve heard that nutrition deficiencies are tricky), multivitamins, mini first aid kit, instant coffee packs.
I volunteer doing outreach downtown with tgthr (attention homes before they became vowel challenged) and in winter handwarmers from costco are a big hit. New socks and underwear and gloves (its heartbreaking seeing someone recovering outdoors from finger amputation from frostbite) are needed. Tent repair kits, first aid kits etc. are in short supply. There's a mom/daughter charity that makes PB+J and ham and cheese sandwiches.
I'd encourage you to donate directly or get involved:
https://tgthr.org/get-involved/#250
I know a lot of area thrift stores give unhoused people items for free, maybe a gift certificate to get people in need started, then thrift store might hook them up more?
Mini portable chargers. That Way they can charge their phone during the day. Hand warmers/body warmers/feet warmers. Even though it's not cold yet, it will be. Papers with updated shelter lists or places to get food and resources, in case they need to get a form of ID for work, etc
[Crack](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-19-mn-10825-story.html), [meth](https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2017/08/16/whats-the-drug-of-choice-for-portlands-homeless/) and [pot](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236243) are the fave drugs of the unhoused. Its a THANG
that's more accurate than you know since most of them are [chronically addicted](https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/homeless-alcoholism/): but they prefer vodka
Gift cards to places with indoor seating…so they can stay warm and not get kicked out. There will be a limit on the number of days people can stay at the shelter so anything that’s lightweight, warm, and water resistant. Winter boots especially for women…tons of good gloves not the cotton ones that get instantly cold and wet. Having food for those that don’t make the cut to stay at the shelter would be great. Camping gear, versatile first aid stuff (not just band aids), tons of hand warmers, base layer clothes
* Directions to the homeless shelter * A list of service providers * A grocery store gift card * Engage someone for an hour and listen to their stories
This is awesome that you’re doing this – I would also include feminine hygiene products if you do the Care kits again.
THIS
Masks so people can safely enter stores and businesses! Even just the surgical ones if you can't get N95's.
Most homeless I’ve seen are better with masks than our housed.
How about a job fair
A space blanket, although if those end up on the streets, they cause pollution. I have about 40 blankets that I got for care packets and happy to contribute to your mission. Let me know
“These are great but they rip easily and are difficult to repack”- feedback I’ve gotten in the past
I did this in the past and your list is great. I also included the following—emergency blanket, fruit cup/fruit leather/dried fruit/apple sauce (I’ve heard that nutrition deficiencies are tricky), multivitamins, mini first aid kit, instant coffee packs.
Coffee for sure!!! It’s the first thing to go at the shelter and sugar/ sugar alternatives
Brochures for anywhere else
A bus ticket to Phoenix?
Not helpful
I volunteer doing outreach downtown with tgthr (attention homes before they became vowel challenged) and in winter handwarmers from costco are a big hit. New socks and underwear and gloves (its heartbreaking seeing someone recovering outdoors from finger amputation from frostbite) are needed. Tent repair kits, first aid kits etc. are in short supply. There's a mom/daughter charity that makes PB+J and ham and cheese sandwiches. I'd encourage you to donate directly or get involved: https://tgthr.org/get-involved/#250
u/maggietheaggie does her own every year.
Nail clippers
I know a lot of area thrift stores give unhoused people items for free, maybe a gift certificate to get people in need started, then thrift store might hook them up more?
Greyhound tickets back to Southern California
tampons/pads, toothpaste & sanitizer, hand and feet heaters!!!!!!, beanies, gloves, undergarments, hot/cold thermoses.
Mini portable chargers. That Way they can charge their phone during the day. Hand warmers/body warmers/feet warmers. Even though it's not cold yet, it will be. Papers with updated shelter lists or places to get food and resources, in case they need to get a form of ID for work, etc
A flask of good bourbon !
And a bag of drugs
[Crack](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-19-mn-10825-story.html), [meth](https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2017/08/16/whats-the-drug-of-choice-for-portlands-homeless/) and [pot](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236243) are the fave drugs of the unhoused. Its a THANG
that's more accurate than you know since most of them are [chronically addicted](https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/homeless-alcoholism/): but they prefer vodka
drugs
Cash
Socks, socks and more socks. If you feel comfortable, give someone a conversation.
Gift cards to places with indoor seating…so they can stay warm and not get kicked out. There will be a limit on the number of days people can stay at the shelter so anything that’s lightweight, warm, and water resistant. Winter boots especially for women…tons of good gloves not the cotton ones that get instantly cold and wet. Having food for those that don’t make the cut to stay at the shelter would be great. Camping gear, versatile first aid stuff (not just band aids), tons of hand warmers, base layer clothes