Hygiene

Hygiene supplies that are critical for our friends on the street. We need travel size items that can be donated at our offices or order these kits here: http://ow.ly/8usp50ATDv1. 

You can also create a blessing bag. Here are some suggestions for you or your organization to collect items and assemble the bags.

Create a Gallon Size Ziploc Bag  This is key for several reasons:

  • Helps to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks
  • Keeps the items from spilling/leaking onto their personal items in their bags.
  • The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks.

What To Include:

  • Hand-Warmers – we put a couple packs in, especially during the winter, but even for those chilly evenings in the spring/summer/fall these would be very welcome. We buy a pack of 40 at Costco  for around $15 ($.38/pk) & then we have these on hand for blessing bags as well as camping, winter sports, etc.
  • Bag of Quarters – These are nice to include for washing clothes at the laundromat (we just put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag to keep them contained in a smaller area
  • Bottle of Water – Mini water bottles work great so they don’t take up too much space or if you can fit a regular size water bottleBand-Aids – these are something that may often be needed but may not be something they would be able to spend money on or think about having.
  • Baby Wipes – a small pack of baby wipes would be a great one to include to help with feeling clean & fresh
  • Hand Sanitizer – another great option to help them feel cleanerWash Cloth – buy an inexpensive wash cloth to include

In addition:

TOILETRIES:

*If you have a lot of items to include in your bags, travel-size toiletries work great

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste (travel size if you have a lot of items to put into your bag)
  • Floss
  • Soap (we bring home soaps from hotels if we don’t end up using all of them)
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo/conditioner (these are also great products to save from hotels if you don’t use them as they’re the perfect size for these bags)
  • Comb
  • Personal hygiene items if you’re making a kit for a woman (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc)
  • Sunscreen (depending on time of year)
  • Chapstick

PERSONAL ITEMS:

  • New Socks
  • New Underwear
  • Inexpensive gloves

 NON-PERISHABLE FOODS:

  • Granola Bars
  • Energy Bars
  • Tuna/cracker packs
  • Trail mix
  • Raisins
  • Peanuts
  • Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon)
  • Gum/hard candy
  • Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes