"It is in the shelter of each other that the people live."
March 31, 2017 10:42 PM Subscribe
I'm seeking suggestions for thoughtful additions to care packages for the homeless. What note could I include that would be of most value to them?
I live in a city with a disproportionate homeless population. I encounter several homeless or struggling people on medians and street corners on my commute to and from work, asking for assistance from motorists. I always acknowledge and give cash or water when I'm able.
I've started to assemble aid kits to keep in my car. They consist of some basics (a granola bar, new t shirt, dollar store razor and toothbrush, some bandaids and collected hotel toiletries, pads/'pons for women) but I would also like to include a meaningful note of some sort. In any other setting just plain ol' human interaction would be the answer, but red light time is limited. I know I like receiving notes, but also hate being told what's what.
That being said - what slip of paper could I include to:
-Make them smile
-Recognize their struggle
-List of nearby resources? Is that presumptive?
Conversely, is this an unnecessary addition?
City is San Diego if that helps.
I live in a city with a disproportionate homeless population. I encounter several homeless or struggling people on medians and street corners on my commute to and from work, asking for assistance from motorists. I always acknowledge and give cash or water when I'm able.
I've started to assemble aid kits to keep in my car. They consist of some basics (a granola bar, new t shirt, dollar store razor and toothbrush, some bandaids and collected hotel toiletries, pads/'pons for women) but I would also like to include a meaningful note of some sort. In any other setting just plain ol' human interaction would be the answer, but red light time is limited. I know I like receiving notes, but also hate being told what's what.
That being said - what slip of paper could I include to:
-Make them smile
-Recognize their struggle
-List of nearby resources? Is that presumptive?
Conversely, is this an unnecessary addition?
City is San Diego if that helps.
Best answer: Hi neighbor. I'm also in San Diego and work downtown. Yes, we're having quite the homelessness crisis at the moment.
Here's a list of things to give to someone who seems to be living on the street. (Disregard the religious items at the end if that's not your thing.) I've also heard Gold Bond mentioned often, which I wouldn't have thought of.
This isn't quite what you asked, but my homelessness charity of choice is PATH San Diego. They're about the only non-religious homeless outreach organization in town, which is important to me. They run a shelter and resource center on 6th, at A street. If I were to send someone somewhere, I'd send them there.
posted by The Minotaur at 11:25 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Here's a list of things to give to someone who seems to be living on the street. (Disregard the religious items at the end if that's not your thing.) I've also heard Gold Bond mentioned often, which I wouldn't have thought of.
This isn't quite what you asked, but my homelessness charity of choice is PATH San Diego. They're about the only non-religious homeless outreach organization in town, which is important to me. They run a shelter and resource center on 6th, at A street. If I were to send someone somewhere, I'd send them there.
posted by The Minotaur at 11:25 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I tried this at christmas and the takeaway I got from it was that homeless people LOVE socks. One guy told me that he'd had wet feet for three days, so socks are always a winner. The thick, warm ones that come in packs of three. In fact a parcel entirely made of socks would probably go down a storm.
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 5:35 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 5:35 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
My hunch is that anything along the lines of 'inspiring quotes' would be in danger of sounding patronising, or implying that they could think themselves to a better place, but that honest human kindness and connection is always uplifting.
I would go for something from you personally, a handwritten "Hope these make your day a little better - from a neighbour who cares, le_salvo" kind of note.
posted by penguin pie at 7:10 AM on April 1, 2017 [17 favorites]
I would go for something from you personally, a handwritten "Hope these make your day a little better - from a neighbour who cares, le_salvo" kind of note.
posted by penguin pie at 7:10 AM on April 1, 2017 [17 favorites]
Wanting to do a similar project, I asked around to some people who were/had been homeless. Their advice was surprising. No food, there are homeless shelters that will feed you, and you don't have to carry it around. Ditto women's products, purell, water, clothes. What I heard basically was socks and a tiny first aid kit with Tylenol, Band-Aids.
posted by toastedbeagle at 9:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by toastedbeagle at 9:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bottled water, condoms, and a list of local shelters and social services.
posted by bunderful at 9:42 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bunderful at 9:42 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
2nding new socks. Super important for health and mobility.
posted by ananci at 9:50 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ananci at 9:50 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
As a coda to my suggestion above about handwritten notes, if you want some inspiration, there's a great wee charity called Refuweegees, based in Glasgow, (weegee is slang for Glaswegian ie. someone from Glasgow), which gives supplies to newly-arrived refugees, and asks people to donate welcome cards/letters to go in their packages. They tweet a lot of pics of the cards they get sent, so have a skim through their twitter feed - they always make me smile.
Not quite the same audience, but the same sentiment - reaching out to a stranger who you feel compassion for - so might help with the tone.
posted by penguin pie at 10:41 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Not quite the same audience, but the same sentiment - reaching out to a stranger who you feel compassion for - so might help with the tone.
posted by penguin pie at 10:41 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Longtime reader and first time asker, and you did not disappoint green. All of these suggestions are helpful and I will incorporate all of this information. I have boatloads of sample tees from my line of work but I will definitely be Costcoing some socks.
Penguin Pie - I wouldn't dream of doing the quote thing. But I love that link to Refuweegee and will incorporate that into something along the lines of what wym suggests!
The Minotaur - I actually just moved here from LA and was familiar with PATH there. I didn't realize they served SD too, so thank you! I prefer secular as well. Thanks neighbor.
posted by le_salvo at 12:05 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Penguin Pie - I wouldn't dream of doing the quote thing. But I love that link to Refuweegee and will incorporate that into something along the lines of what wym suggests!
The Minotaur - I actually just moved here from LA and was familiar with PATH there. I didn't realize they served SD too, so thank you! I prefer secular as well. Thanks neighbor.
posted by le_salvo at 12:05 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
if you are going to write a note, what about the same sort of simple thing you would write if you were giving a little gift to a friend, like "just hoping to make your day a little brighter"
just something totally ordinary, y'know?
also a few wet wipes, they are so nice to be able to unwrap one an freshen up a bit.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:06 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
just something totally ordinary, y'know?
also a few wet wipes, they are so nice to be able to unwrap one an freshen up a bit.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:06 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I volunteered at a drop in center for women where someone donated cookies and other dessert things in packages with various encouraging messages. They were always the first dessert items to disappear and they kept the inserts. I think they also had hearts on them, and they were card sized - in any case they loved them and the idea behind it.
Clean underwear was an item in huge demand, and they aren't things that get donated that often, so I don't think you can go wrong with that as a giveaway as they're not something that a lot of shelters give out.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 7:12 PM on April 1, 2017
Clean underwear was an item in huge demand, and they aren't things that get donated that often, so I don't think you can go wrong with that as a giveaway as they're not something that a lot of shelters give out.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 7:12 PM on April 1, 2017
I've been homeless.
Bear in mind that many people living on the streets are not very literate.
That in mind, i once received a booklet of local resources while panning and found it more helpful than an inspirational phrase would have been. Utility is key.
posted by windykites at 9:24 PM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
Bear in mind that many people living on the streets are not very literate.
That in mind, i once received a booklet of local resources while panning and found it more helpful than an inspirational phrase would have been. Utility is key.
posted by windykites at 9:24 PM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
Penguin Pie - I wouldn't dream of doing the quote thing. But I love that link to Refuweegee and will incorporate that into something along the lines of what wym suggests!
Ah cool, I only assumed that from the title of the post - go, you, it's a great thing you're doing!
posted by penguin pie at 3:56 AM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ah cool, I only assumed that from the title of the post - go, you, it's a great thing you're doing!
posted by penguin pie at 3:56 AM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Nthing socks. Socks, socks, socks.
Also, if you decide to include some food items like granola bars or whatever, make sure it's soft food. A lot of homeless folks have not had access to proper dental care and may not be able to eat crunchy or hard foods.
Coupons to a fast-food restaurant or coffee place? That both lets people get hot food/drink (of their choosing, also), and it gives people the opportunity to sit, maybe for a few hours, inside.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:34 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, if you decide to include some food items like granola bars or whatever, make sure it's soft food. A lot of homeless folks have not had access to proper dental care and may not be able to eat crunchy or hard foods.
Coupons to a fast-food restaurant or coffee place? That both lets people get hot food/drink (of their choosing, also), and it gives people the opportunity to sit, maybe for a few hours, inside.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:34 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I live in San Diego too. I am so happy and proud to know a fellow SD citizen is treating our homeless with such care. Thank you.
I don't even know what you could write on the note or put in it that hasn't already been said, but i wanted to tell you thank you for what you are doing. It is refreshing.
posted by bananaskin at 8:53 PM on June 20, 2017
I don't even know what you could write on the note or put in it that hasn't already been said, but i wanted to tell you thank you for what you are doing. It is refreshing.
posted by bananaskin at 8:53 PM on June 20, 2017
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If it were me it would make me smile a bit.
posted by wym at 11:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]