How to Put Together a Care Package for People Who Are Experiencing Homelessness

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Being out on the streets isn’t easy. Unfortunately, for over 15,000 Torontonians experiencing homelessness every given day, there may not be any other option. As an organization that supports people experiencing homelessness, we know that kindness and a little bit of help can go a very long way. And, that’s where the care package comes in.

Want to help out your neighbours by handing out care packages but aren’t sure what to include in each one? Don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know about how to create a life-changing care package for people experiencing homelessness.

A bunch of backpacks filled with items for the homeless

What to Include in a Care Package

When it comes to putting together care packages, it’s vital to keep in mind that people experiencing homelessness do not always have a safe place to store their things. So, you may want to consider packing everything in a backpack or another easy-to-carry bag that your recipients will be able to reuse in the future.

Once you have the “package” portion covered, it’s time to fill it up with “care.” Here are a few things every care package should include.

Food

When it comes to food, you want to make sure you’re not filling your care packages up with a bunch of empty carbs. Your care package should contain healthy, protein-rich snacks that can help satiate an appetite for several hours.

Care package-friendly, nutritious and protein-rich snacks include:

beef jerky
tuna or chicken salad snack-packs
peanut butter crackers
pre-packaged cheese and crackers
protein or granola bars
mixed nuts
trail mix
gum or mints
apple or banana

You may also want to include a few bottles of water in each care package. You should also create a few without any nuts or peanut butter in case of allergies.

Toiletries

Maintaining personal hygiene can be tricky without stable access to a clean bathroom and supplies. So, your care packages should also include a few standard toiletries.

A few basic toiletries that you should include in your care packages are:

wet wipes
tissues
petroleum jelly
a first-aid kit
a toothbrush and toothpaste
body lotion
facemask
hand sanitizer
nail clippers
a hairbrush or comb
maxi pads

You may also want to include one or two reusable hand towels your recipients will be able to carry with them.

Miscellaneous

Finally, there are a few more necessities and goodies you should include in your care package to round them out.

These extra items include things like:

a gift card to a local grocery store or coffee shop
a flashlight
ziplock bags
a small tarp or blanket
a few pairs of thick, high-quality socks
warm gloves
sunscreen
a good book

Lastly, you should finish off your care package with a message of kindness.

How to Distribute Care Packages

Once you have your care packages together, it’s time to distribute them.

If you prefer to hand out care packages directly to people on the streets, it is best to do it with a friend. And remember, always ask, don’t assume.

You should also consider contacting a local charity to figure out the best and most beneficial places to visit. If you would like to donate to Fred Victor, please contact donations@fredvictor.org to arrange drop-off.

Other Ways to Help

Shop for Good is another easy way to help – especially if you don’t have time to put a care kit together. It’s our virtual gift catalogue, where you don’t buy something for yourself. You choose the most-needed items for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

Instead of shopping on autopilot, you can shop with purpose. Every gift helps someone stay safer and warmer this winter, while supporting the programs people rely on.

In the catalogue, you can give things like: