Care parcel for homeless

Tealady_2

There is a homeless man that sleeps in a shop doorway near my office. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year I am using the money to make up a care parcel for him. I have a small drawstring backpack to use as he can carry this no problem. What to put in it though, he keeps fairly clean so thinking toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, thermal vest and long John's and some food. Any better suggestions and what food should I put in for him

purpleshoes_2

Tealady wrote: »

There is a homeless man that sleeps in a shop doorway near my office. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year I am using the money to make up a care parcel for him. I have a small drawstring backpack to use as he can carry this no problem. What to put in it though, he keeps fairly clean so thinking toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, thermal vest and long John's and some food. Any better suggestions and what food should I put in for him

I gave a hat and gloves to the local big issue seller

Also maybe a few chocs, I gave some of them as well, some folks dont get many xmas presents, something like a selection box or a choc orange might go down well.

Butterfly_Brain

Here are some ideas that I have come up with, just pick a few things from the list.

warm socks
gloves
hat
handwarmers
A jumper or coat especially in the winter if you have an old one going spare, or one from a charity shop. It improves their self esteem.
thermal underwear
baby wipes
toilet roll
a razor
shampoo
soap
deoderant
hand sanitiser
sanitary wear for ladies
toothbrush and toothpaste
one of those coffees that you shake and it heats up
easy meals such as tuna pouches or anything that doesn't need cooking
a box of energy bars
sweets
little tubs of rice pudding
little tubs of rhubarb and custard or apple and custard
ready cooked sausage rolls, pasties or something like it
maybe some fruit
sometimes homeless people have pets, if they do, some pet food would be really useful.
Yoga mat for sleeping on
A blanket or sleeping bag

That is all I can come up with for now

swingaloo

May seem an odd thing to suggest but what about a packet of paper hankies and a packet of paracetamol. I can think of nothing worse than having headache/toothache and no pain relief. Rennies/Setlers/Plasters.


Maybe Im overthinking this and some of these suggestions may be a bit silly but Im putting myself in the place of a homeless person on the street and thinking what I would want- just suggestions really-


A pen and word-search/puzzle book.


An inflatable pillow (I bought one to take on a flight, it only measures about 10 inches by 6 when inflated but was handy and must be better than nothing)


Biscuits.


Fold up umbrella


A torch.


A comb.


Nail clippers.


Miniature whisky and mince pie.


Im stopping now, Im getting into the realms of imagining myself on a desert island- which is a far cry from actually being homeless.


I think its a lovely idea you have had.

asajj

You are very nice, thanks for doing this.
I have bought pair of gloves for a local Big Issue seller last year - he was very happy.

As said, they don't really receive presents so may be a small treat as above.

Also do you know whether he chooses to be homeless ? ( sounds silly but some people do). Perhaps helping him to get help to solve this issue would be better than anything else.

Butterfly_Brain

Swingaloo, what a good idea.

carriebradshaw

have you heard of the rucksack appeal you should get some good ideas here http://rucksackproject.org/ there's a few facebook pages around as well with ideas

purpleshoes_2

Id also say sandwiches and some mince pies (I know you said about giving food) maybe a flask of coffee and some nuts (good for you with good fats and cals) or some crisps as well.

allat

All good ideas but I wouldn't give paracetamol. Some homeless people have mental health issues and you wouldn't want them to over dose on any tablets that you had given them.

Tealady_2

Thank you all for your great ideas. Will try and put something together over the weekend and will let you know what I went with in the end.

Islandmaid

Tealady

Lovely idea. Make sure you put a little note saying it was a gift, it,s a cynical world and a homeless person suddenly getting new 'kit' could be questioned where they got it from. I,d hate to see your generosity causing anyone uncomfortable questions.