Blessing Bags for the Homeless

I feel so helpless when I see homeless people on the street.  Their needs are very apparent and yet greater than what I am capable of helping.  

Homeless care packages or "blessing bags" are one way I have used to help the homeless in a small way.  It helps to provide for some of their needs.  They are a way to say "I see you and I see your needs and I care."  Our God is a God who "give food to the hungry" (Psalm 146:7) and we can be a part of that.

Blessing Bags Contents:

Many people have lots of ideas for what to put in bags for the homeless.  Here is what I put in mine:

• a pair of socks
• deodorant
• lotion
• multi-purpose wipes
• band-aids
• chapstick
• tissues
• gum
• cracker packs
• applesauce (pouches are great so they don't need spoons)
• granola bars (don't get anything too hard in case they have dental problems)
• beef jerky or beef sticks

Here are some other ideas that I loved:

• hat, gloves, or scarfs in the winter
• suntan lotion in the summer
• bottles of water or even a water bottle that has a filter so they can refill it
• a drawstring backpack 
• pamphlets or contact information for local homeless ministries

I also included some gospel tracts to let them know why we care about them - because they are loved by God.

You can buy packs of 10 ready-made blessing bags from an organization called Red Bag at Amazon. They put their items in a waterproof drawstring backpack.

Some Things To Remember About Blessing Bags

When you are buying the items for the bags, buy things that will work well for them.  Don't buy them socks that are really cheap and will wear out quickly because they might discard their current socks to wear the new ones.  Then if the new ones get holes in them in a few days they will only have those holey socks.  It's better to buy fewer good items than many poor quality items.

As you assemble your bags remember that a homeless person doesn't have a place to keep these items so either provide a drawstring backpack or keep it small.  Provide what they would need for one day.  If you put too much in the bag, they might have to dump it or give it away because they can't store it until they need it.  

The homeless people you come across are real people with real needs that go beyond the physical things in the bag.  They especially need compassion and love.  Treat them with respect.  Make eye contact, smile, shake their hand, or pray with them.  Ask them how you can specifically pray for them.  Let them know you see them as a person of value.  Treat them with the dignity you would desire if you were on the streets.  Use the bags as a tool to start an interaction that will provide for their deeper emotional needs.

This is just a small temporary help.  They need much more.  Try to get them in touch with local homeless ministries.  Find one that you like and have the information ready to share.  

If you really want to help the homeless, find a favorite local homeless ministry or shelter.  Volunteer your time.  Ask them what their needs are and provide for them by donating money, knitting hats or scarfs, cooking meals, or organizing a coat drive.  Support their ministries like the stores where they sell used items.