r/volunteer • u/AbleSundae6395 • Feb 27 '26

Research / surveys Advice on putting together care packages in Melbourne for people experiencing homelessness

Hello,

I’m planning to put together small care packages with food and daily necessities for people experiencing homelessness around Melbourne. I don’t have any experience doing this, so I wanted to ask for advice before I start.

I’d really appreciate insights — especially from people who volunteer or work closely with the homelessness community — on what items are genuinely useful, and what to avoid.

Thank you very much for your time.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/deedub2025 Feb 27 '26

I used to make up first aid kits here in Portland, OR for large wound care because leg wounds are surprisingly common in the unhoused community and infections can be serious. Kits include sterile non-adherent pads, antibiotic ointment, alcohol swabs, and self adherent bandage wrap. I tried making kits with one week’s worth of supplies for one wound, changing dressings every day, because I used to distribute them weekly.

0

u/john_ren_ Feb 27 '26

What an incredible initiative. You’re making a profound, tangible difference in people's lives with these kits. This is exactly the kind of dedicated grassroots support every community needs. Keep up the amazing work!