Family Service Idea: "Blessing Bags"
How to Make "Blessing Bags" for Those Experiencing Homelessness
Looking for a fun and meaningful service idea for your family? You may have seen blog posts or social shares of people making "Blessings Bags" for those experiencing homelessness. This is a great way to care for your community and teach children about giving back.
Things to include:
- Water bottles or sports drinks
- Packaged snacks like granola bars, applesauce, crackers, chips, pretzels and fruit snacks
- Toiletries like mini deodorants, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, Q-tips and maxi pads
- Mini hairbrushes or combs
- Nail clippers
- Chapstick
- Band Aids
- Cough drops, mints, and gum
- Hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes
- Socks
- Seasonal gear (like sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses for summer months or mittens, gloves, and beanies for winter)
- Travel packs of tissues
- Wallet cards or brochures that share local VA resources for the homeless – download here.
- A kind note that says "You are loved!" or "Someone is thinking about you." Or check out SignUp's free blessing bag cards that you can print from home.
Directions:
- Fill gallon-size bags with your assortment of goodies and informational materials. (Don't forget to include a handwritten note!)
- Place the bags in your family's cars so you have them on hand when you are out and about during the holiday season.
- Hand them out to homeless people that you see standing at intersections asking for help or as you pass them on the street.
Be sure to talk with your kids about the importance of giving back – even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life.
