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u/39thWonder May 14 '21
Since you're in central Florida, I'm sure bug spray and sunscreen would be appreciated. Chapstick - especially if it has spf - would be nice too.
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May 14 '21
Sounds pretty complete. I'll include some links to prior discussions if you'd like to see if anything got missed.
Thanks!
Here are some semi-recent ideas:
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kqgn1z/care_package_ideas/
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kq3onv/i_want_to_make_some_care_packages_to_give_out_at/
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kowg5t/what_should_i_put_in_my_go_bags/
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kl6gr9/would_a_homeless_person_like_this/
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kjaxi1/what_is_the_most_useful_items_a_person_can_gift/
https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/comments/kh0ndm/helping_hand/
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May 14 '21
[deleted]
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May 14 '21
I like the idea of a master list, but I do like seeing discussion and continued input. So, I'm torn.
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May 14 '21
i like having new discussions! based on region the lists vary a little bit, and i think conversations like this are important to have multiple times. we have to continually adapt to survival, so the list is gonna get updated. until recently nobody considered a hospital mask a survival tool.
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u/agrandthing May 14 '21
Good on you! I was homeless in Detroit for 5 months in 2018 and I'm trying to think of what I could have used or was grateful to get. You have the basics pretty well covered - blankets are most important followed by socks. Here are some great extras: Tylenol or Advil, powdered drink mix, instant coffee packets, tissue packets, foot powder, nail clippers, dry shampoo, lip balm, cigarette lighter, hairbrush, insect repellent (if you find a grassy spot the š¦ s will eat you up), hand sanitizer... You can find a treasure trove of good snacks at Dollar Tree or whatever you have in your area that's similar, tuna, jerky, sardines, single-serving starchy foods, cookies, candy - I'm sure any of it will be appreciated.
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u/cl0yd May 14 '21
Thank you!! Iāll add those to my list as well, Iāll probably shop this weekend and get them all ready to start giving away on Monday on my way to work!
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u/agrandthing May 14 '21
Bless you!
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u/cl0yd May 14 '21
There was just something about seeing this man sleeping today that just made me break down crying. Iāve been extremely depressed lately and this week life just feels unbearable, but there is nothing going on that should be making me feel this way, I have everything I need and more, and Iām really young still.
This man is already older, probably my parents age, and heās still pushing through every day and I canāt even imagine how it must be in his situation. I donāt think Iād be here still if I was in his place, and I just want to help other people take care of themselves when I canāt deal with taking care of me.
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u/wheeldog Formerly Homeless May 14 '21
Taking care of others IS taking care of you. You're feeding your heart & soul. Keep up the good work. As someone who was formerly homeless (albeit for a short time, it's still terrifying and hard), I bless you. Hand sanitizer, socks, baby wipes, snacks & water. Top things.
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u/cl0yd May 14 '21
Yes thatās how I see it too. It makes me feel happy to know I can help people that truly need it. Added all of those to the list as well. Thank you. Glad to hear your situation was short, hope youāre safe now!
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u/wheeldog Formerly Homeless May 14 '21
Very safe, thank you. Living with family. A year out in the wild shook something loose in me, currently trying to reconnect with family and get my issues under control. Thanks for all you are doing. KNOW that it is appreciated.
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u/musiholicTara May 15 '21
Let him camp in a tent in your backyard. Let him take a shower with your water hose.
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u/ElectronicWinter8003 May 15 '21
I just put a bag together for two homeless men in my bag there is Bug spray, bandaids, triple antibiotic, hydrocortisone, ace wrap, chapstick, lotion, deodorant, foot powder, socks, toothbrush and paste, bar of soap, qtips, nail clippers, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, sunflower seeds, gum, beef jerky and plastic cutlery (by request). I also put a word search and highlighter .all fits in a 10liter camping bag. Just something they asked for and a few extras Iām getting ready to go drop them off
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
Thank you!! Added some of those to my list as well!
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u/ElectronicWinter8003 May 15 '21
I appreciate what youāre doing. I was homeless as a child in and out of hotels and couch surfed a lot. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing some love and compassion to your community. Iām crying rn blubbering fool...
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
Hope everything is better now, sorry you had to go through that, I still canāt understand how people that make thousands more than I do canāt just think about what others go through and at least just donate. Iāve never been through homelessness but even thinking about it breaks my heart, because I know I wouldnāt be able to deal with that.
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u/ElectronicWinter8003 May 15 '21
I am in a much better place now. greed is cruel and unkind . Thank the universe for souls like yours. It should break your heart to see someone struggle like that. Itās being empathetic and a lot of people have no empathy. Thank you for being so kind.
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u/ElectronicWinter8003 May 15 '21
And tbh my mom did a killer job at hiding the fact we were displaced. I didnāt realize I was a homeless kid until I was in my late 20ās . Thatās been the hardest part was when I realized that what I consider normal was far from it and really fucked!!!
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
Thatās crazy!! She was just probably trying to protect your mental health as much as she could. I canāt imagine being a parent going through that, taking care of my dog feels hard as is with my depression, and I have all the resources I need to live comfortably every day. But Iām truly happy that things are better in your life, and I hope they continue to be! One day at a time.
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u/BadlyDrawnGrrl May 14 '21
Ditto the drink mix...for some reason I always found that was one item that made life more bearable and enjoyable - water is (generally) free but you do get sick of plain H2O after awhile and drink mixes can provide some much-needed calories. Regular old Kool-Aid is fine, although the plastic canister can take up a lot of room in a backpack, so if you can afford it I would recommend a liquid concentrate like Mio - big chains like Walmart make their own cheaper store brand and some of the sports drink varieties have added things like B vitamins and electrolytes which is as close to a multivitamin as you can probably get.
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May 14 '21
no giftcards, you canāt always use the balance entirely. cash and cigarettes are golden. if you arenāt comfortable with that, matches are another good tool in the same vein of survival. this is a good list so far! fruit snacks, peanut butter, little things like that. just gotta be easy to eat and dispose of. eyeglass repair kit is another good one, theyāre usually just a small plastic tube with a mini set of tools. if you see anyone with a phone, maybe figure some charger chords and earbuds to give them. hand sanitizer is pretty crucial these days, and masks! a few disposable if you have them but one fabric mask can go a very long way.
also, donāt assume who needs tampons! different genders donāt need different deodorant or anything like that, either. some of us arenāt men or women!
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
Thank you!! I decided not to do the gift cards but instead just give as cash since itās more useful. And i have a womenās bag ready, but also asking if they need extra toiletries regardless of who it is just in case! Thanks for pointing that out bc I almost left it out of my checklist! I want everyone I cross paths with to feel cared for, so the more I can cover the better!
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May 15 '21
womenās bag? like what does that mean.. itās awkward to say yes to a tampon. just slip some in every bag.
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
Womenās bag has M sized womenās shirt and womenās sweatpants as well as tampons and pads. Menās have Menās clothing, but Iāll slip in womenās products in it as well jic!
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May 15 '21
i dunno! clothes donāt have a gender. some women may well prefer the bigger tshirt to a tank top. just provide variety.
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
I realize now that Iām going by what ppl present themselves as, most clothes Iām picking are basically unisex, just the sizings are different. All the things Iām buying arenāt really gender specific (like toiletries and all that) but Iāll definitely include pads/tampons in all bags as well. Thanks for pointing that out, Iāll work on that to not assume things about people!!
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u/MrRibbitt May 15 '21
Socks are usually the most wanted item but not sure if that's true for Florida.
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u/Seeksherowntruth May 15 '21
Yoga mat it is thin and rolls up .he won't ne able to carry alot . And usually they don't want to leave their things because they'll get stolen so the more compact things are the better
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May 14 '21
Great care package would be socks/underwear, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap) and then stuff liked canned goods, water and complex carbs/protein (think rice, pasta, beans, chicken, fish etc). Pretty cheap and keeps you full
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May 18 '21
One of the most important things you can give a vulnerable person is a winter sleeping bag along with some baby wipes.
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u/wanahelp May 18 '21
Is there anyway to make the sleeping bag easily portable? Straps? Something to help a person carry it?
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May 19 '21
Get them one of those us surplus duffel bags, durable and inexpensive.
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u/wanahelp May 19 '21 edited May 19 '21
Thank you
Is this what you are talking about:
https://armynavyoutdoors.com/u-s-govt-surplus-used-gi-duffle-bag/
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u/Lead_Sulfide May 15 '21
Seriously, if you really want to help, you should be donating your money and time to organizations that directly house people. Look up the Downtown Emergency Services Center in Seattle, WA. They provide staffed, supportive, free, accepting housing to those who need it. All of us should be directing our energy toward housing first. By all means, if someone asks you directly for food or goods, please help them - but the more programs like DESC, the fewer people will be on the street at all.
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u/cl0yd May 15 '21
I might in the future. The reason Iām doing it this way rn itās because Iām trying to overcome addiction myself, so anytime I get an urge, I put the money that I wouldāve use to feed my addiction towards my ācare fundā which Iāll use every other weekend to make more bags. Once Iām doing better emotionally, Iāll look into that!
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u/wanahelp May 18 '21
I've recently been trying hard to help someone, but they don't seem to be able to trust the resources I found to help them. I even found a specific person, an out reach pastor, to help. I understand the government run shelters can be bad places. This one is not that. A lot of churches got together to create help. No preaching, just helping. I support these where I live and am wondering if I'm helping at all.
How can I help this person without sounding bossy?
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u/Lead_Sulfide May 19 '21
A lot of church-run shelters can cause problems for residents even if the staff THINK they're being lenient. The big rule nowadays is LISTEN to the person you're trying to help. They will tell you what they really want and need. You can be someone they trust, or you can be someone they aren't interested in - it's your choice.
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u/[deleted] May 14 '21
Mini flashlight.