Want to put together a homeless care package for a homeless person and not sure what you should include.
The reason why you can’t just include anything is because of practicality.
A homeless person doesn’t have a fridge, shelf or facilities that exist in a house.
For this reason, perishable foods should not be included in care package instead add foods or snacks with long shelf life.
The size of the items also matter. For example, a travel size pack of tissues is better than a family size box of tissues
If you want to give items of clothing, consider winter clothing such as scarfs, hats, gloves etc
Items of toiletries such as razors, shampoo, hand wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balms etc will always be needed.
20 Homeless care package checklist
- Water bottle
- Cereal bar
- Warm socks
- Dried food snacks
- Food vouchers
- Hand wipes
- Packet of tissues
- Tooth paste and tooth brush
- Sugar free chewing gum
- Lip balm
- Plaster
- Gloves
- Hand lotion
- Portable first aid kit
- Winter hat
- Sanitary pads
- Scarf
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Local resource guide
There isn’t a formula to come up with what goes in a homeless care package but if you put your self in the shoes of a homeless person, it would come easily.
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Tips for putting together your homeless care package
- Put your package together considering the change in season. During winter, warm socks, hats and lip balms are essential. During summer, a sunblock is a great idea.
- Hygiene items are essential but avoid including items that have alcohol in them.
- Non perishable food items like crackers, peanut butter and especially water in hot weather.
- Have a care package party. Invite friends and family to donate items.
- A local resource guide that has information that would be beneficial to a homeless person would be very useful. It should include information about soup kitchens, homeless shelters and charities that focus their services on homeless people.
- Remember, they people just like and deserve to have their dignity intact. Don’t just drop your care package and run. If you can try to have a conversation or at least acknowledge them in some way.
List of Homeless Charities in the UK
In your care package, you may include a list of local homeless charities as homeless people have varying needs. Here a few charities with local branches you may suggest.
SHELTER
Shelter will advise on how to get a place to stay if you are on the street, get help from your local council and even advise on how to help someone who is homeless.
CENTREPOINT
Centrepoint offers young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with support, skills and accommodation to help obtain training, education and jobs.
THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION
The Big Issue Foundation works to help their vendors all kinds of support ranging from help in acquiring skills, training, employment to helping with accommodation.
CRISIS
Crisis helps people facing homelessness and also campaigns to find solutions to problems around homelessness in the UK. In addition, Crisis carries out research to help present an accurate picture of homelessness in the UK and offer solutions through its knowledge hub
DEPAUL UK
Depaul UK works to provide shelter, food and health services to homeless people. It also focuses on young vulnerable people by offering emergency shelter and eventually help seeking long term housing.
The charity has a programme called Nightstop UK service, which basically helps to place young people at risk of homelessness, couch surfing or in unsuitable accommodation with checked and vetted volunteers who offer them a safe secure place for a night or two.
ST MUNGO’S
St Mungo’s provides services to the homeless though outreach, advice and shelter for homeless people.
THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army runs drop-in centres, hostels and offer a range of other services in order to help homeless people across the UK
EMMAUS UK
Emmaus focuses on helping homeless people get back on their feet by providing work, shelter and sustenance. They do this through different social enterprise projects.
HOMELESS LINK
Homeless Link works to improve the plight of homeless people in partnership with charities and organisations within the homelessness sector
STREET LINK
C connects homeless people with homelessness services. This is done through an app and website. The service empowers member of the public who are worried about rough sleepers . This is then transferred to local teams who will contact rough sleepers and offer them services that are needed.