Homeless Care Package | What Makes a REAL Difference?

Have you ever wondered how to help the homeless? Your heart goes out to them, but maybe you're not sure how to make a significant difference.

Is it cash they need most? Food? A job?!

What is a homeless care package?

While there's a whole host of ways of helping the homeless, I personally love to meet several of their needs at once by sharing homeless care packages. Homeless care packages (sometimes called homeless care boxes or care kits) are a small collection of essential items a homeless person might find useful.

How did I decide what to include in the care kits? I went straight to the source, gathering information from local shelters, food banks, homeless church groups and ministries, and homeless community members themselves.

Here’s what I found out!

What do you put in homeless care packages? Thoughtful Care Package Ideas

Before diving into our list, I’ll mention that it’s always a good idea to ask before you give.

Everyone’s circumstances are different and a homeless person may not need what you’re offering, even if you consider those items to be basic necessities. If they decline your offer, wish them well and save your care kits for those who do need them.

Clothing

Clothing wears out quickly when you’re wearing it every day. Clean socks and teeshirts were highest on the list of clothing needs.

Wondering which clean socks they prefer? I researched that too!

The most common answer was men’s white crew socks. Shoes are also in high demand, but more difficult to provide unless you know and plan for the person's size.

Cold Weather Clothing Items (Homeless Care Boxes For Winter Months)

Do you live in an area that experiences colder weather? Warm winter gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and other clothing items geared toward the winter months will help to shield homeless people from the elements.

Don’t have the money to go out and purchase new items? Gently used clothing items are appreciated as well!

It's a great idea to check your closet for any warm winter gloves, hats, or coats you don’t use and give them to those who will.

Hand warmers are a fantastic help as well, especially during the coldest months of the year. Consider purchasing hand warmers in bulk and keeping some handy in your purse or car to give to homeless individuals when you encounter a need.

Bedding

Thermal blankets and sleeping bags are helpful, the more easily portable, the better. (Use the term "backpack bed" if you're searching the internet for portable options.)

Toiletries/Personal Hygiene Essential Items

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine personal hygiene products (pads and tampons), disposable razors, shaving cream, lip balm, hand sanitizer/hand wipes are common essential items that are often foregone in favor of food.

Body lotion is commonly needed during the winter months, when hands can become dry and chapped from constant exposure to the colder weather. Consider saving the small bottle of body lotion from your hotel bathroom and including it in homeless care boxes to share with someone who could really use it.

Non-Perishable Food Items

Aim for nutritious food that is filling, easily transported, and has a long shelf life, like breakfast or granola bars, tuna and crackers, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, or beef jerky. You can hand out individual food items or collect a few basic necessities together in a homeless care kit.

A plastic water bottle can also help to combat the dehydration that homeless individuals commonly experience.

Fast Food Restaurants or Grocery Store Gift Cards

Gift cards provide a homeless person with not only a hot meal, but also a place to get out of the street for a while, use the restroom, etc., since many stores only allow paying customers inside.

Train or Bus Card

Many homeless people cite lack of access as their main deterrent to taking advantage of homeless services. Offer a means of transportation to nearby homeless shelters, homeless church groups and ministries, food banks, grocery stores, and more!

Resource Card

Use this website to locate local shelters, food banks, and other local resources in your area. Then jot down any helpful nearby services, along with addresses and phone numbers, on a notecard or piece of paper.

Many homeless people mentioned that homeless shelters and food banks are most helpful to their immediate needs but that they don’t always know where to find them. You can solve their lack of access with just a few minutes of internet research!

Encouraging Personal Notes

Homeless people are often denied basic dignity and even acknowledgment by others. Including encouraging personal notes with your care kits, telling them you care and that they matter, could be just the words they need to hear!

Homeless Care Kit DIY

So what should you do…keep clean socks or toothbrushes in your car and hand them out to homeless community members as you meet them?

Possibly! In fact, many people do just that!

You can also create small care kits or "homeless care boxes" to keep handy in your car.

During my research, I stumbled upon the great idea to pack several essential items inside of a Nalgene or other wide-mouthed water bottle. This version of a homeless care kit provides them with several much-needed items, plus a durable water bottle.

So I did just that, packing clean socks, hand sanitizer wipes, hard warmers, non-perishable snacks, and a McDonald’s gift card inside the durable plastic water bottle! I put a few in my car and a few in my husband’s, so we’d both be ready whenever we encountered a need.

You can also pack items into a gallon Ziploc bag or gently used purse or backpack to create a homeless care kit.

Tips For More Thoughtful Homeless Care Packages

Don't give homeless people your leftovers or worse yet, trash.

While gently used items are appreciated, items with holes or heavy wear don't send a message that the recipients are valued.

Keep care kits small.

Many homeless people carry all of their belongings everywhere they go. For this reason, it's a good idea to offer just a few incredibly helpful and necessary items than 20 meh items.

Consider their pets.

Some homeless individuals adopt homeless animals, which may mean the food in your homeless care package feeds a dog rather than a human. Consider carrying small baggies of dog food to give alongside your homeless care boxes, to ensure both are fed.

What should you not put in homeless care packages? What not to give a homeless person?

Not every gift is useful! Here are a few items you should avoid including in your homeless care packages.

Crunchy or hard foods

Many homeless people may be struggling with broken, rotten, or sensitive teeth or may be missing teeth altogether. That's why it's always a great idea to skip hard foods in favor of soft foods that can be easily consumed regardless of dental health.

Perishable foods

A hot meal, or those that require refrigeration, demand the recipient eat them right away, whether they're hungry at the moment or not. Instead, opt for non-perishable snacks and foods with a long shelf life for those with lack of access to refrigeration.

Gift cards for businesses beyond walking distance

Grocery store or fast food restaurants gift cards for a store five or ten miles away will require the recipient to either walk a long distance or pay for public transportation to use them. For this reason, be mindful of each recipient's location when you give them a gift card.

Religious literature

We get it, you want homeless people to know that God loves them and cares about them. (We do too!)

But sometimes including religious literature in homeless care boxes can come across as oblivious or insincere.

If you want to share God's love with the homeless community, use your own words and sincere conversation to do it instead of religious literature!

Handing Out Your Homeless Care Packages

More than food, clothing, or money, the most common needs expressed by the homeless population are dignity, kindness, understanding, and encouragement. Most people avoid eye contact with the homeless, ignore their attempts at conversation, and/or act obviously uncomfortable with any interaction.

That means when you're handing out your homeless care package, simply making eye contact and engaging in simple conversation, even saying “hello” or “good morning," can go a long way in vastly improving their day.

Of course, be wise when engaging in conversation with strangers, homeless or not. Keep interactions contained to safe, public places where there are other people around.

Beyond Your Homeless Care Package - What else do homeless people need?

And finally, do you want to make a significant difference in the lives of more than one or two homeless people? Then consider donating your time and/or money to homeless shelters or ministries!

Check out this homeless shelter directory or local church groups, and ask how you can help! These services have deeper pockets and more connections to provide homeless community members with not just basic necessities but the training and assistance they need to get back on their feet again.

So now you know how to help the homeless! You are completely capable of making a difference in their lives, through homeless care packages and beyond!

Have you found a way to help and encourage homeless community members in your area? Any tips or tricks you’ve learned to go beyond meeting their basic necessities? Be sure to share with us in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions

You might still have questions about where to donate, what items work best, and how to build kits on a budget! Here are answers to the questions people ask most often.

Where can I donate care packages for people experiencing homelessness?

You can drop off care packages at local shelters, food banks, and churches in your area. Many of these places accept donations during regular business hours.

Some cities also have street outreach teams that hand out items directly to people in need. Call ahead first to ask what they need most right now.

You can also check with community centers or nonprofits that focus on homelessness. They often have specific drop-off times and item lists.

How can I make affordable care packages with items from Dollar Tree?

Dollar Tree is a great place to shop if you're on a budget. You can find travel-size toiletries, socks, snacks, and small first-aid supplies for just a dollar each.

Try to buy in bulk to save more money. A $20 budget can often make five or six full care packages.

Look for items like bottled water, granola bars, hand sanitizer, and bandages. These are cheap but useful for everyday needs.

What are the best care package items to keep in my car?

Keeping a few care packages in your car means you're ready to help when you see someone in need. Good items include bottled water, granola bars, and single-serve snacks that won't spoil in heat.

You should also pack items like hand warmers in winter and sunscreen in summer. A small first-aid kit and wet wipes are helpful too.

Keep everything in a gallon-size bag so it's easy to grab and hand out. Store your car kits in a spot that's easy to reach.

Are there organizations that provide free care packages near me?

Yes, many nonprofits and local charities give out free care packages. You can search online for homeless shelters or outreach programs in your city.

Some national organizations also have local chapters that provide these services. Websites like 211.org can help connect you to programs near you.

Local churches and food pantries often have care packages ready too. It helps to call first and ask if they need volunteers or donations.

What items are most helpful in summer care packages for people experiencing homelessness?

Summer heat can be dangerous, so cooling items matter most. Pack bottled water, electrolyte packets, and sunscreen to help prevent heat-related illness.

You should also include sun hats, lightweight socks, and hand fans. Lip balm with SPF and hand sanitizer are useful too.

Non-perishable snacks that won't melt in the heat are a good choice. Think crackers, nuts, or dried fruit instead of chocolate or anything that spoils fast.