Just this past week in the news, there was a story about community refrigerators. The concept is very simple: if you have food to donate, leave it in the community refrigerator, and if you need food, help yourself to it. I pray more of these pop up all over, so that even more people struggling with food insecurity have access. I thought, what a great idea, and was reminded about another simple way to help those in need: blessing bags.
Blessing Bags
One year, my second graders worked with another class to pack some plastic bags with essential care items that we then donated to a shelter. However, you can also pack some blessing bags to keep in your car to pass out when you see someone in need. Here are a few kinds of kits you can prepare:
Pill Bottle Pocket Provisions
Have your friends and family help you save large empty pill bottles and then fill them with travel-size items for the homeless. If you have children or a youth group, you can have them help with this project. Include such items as chapstick, hard candies, alcohol swabs, bandaids, and a 5-dollar bill. For more information on this project, click here.
Blessing Bottles
Use a water bottle to fill with essential items that the homeless can then use to stay hydrated. Along with the items mentioned above, some other items you can include are socks, Nutrigrain bars, anti-bacterial wipes, and packets of pain-relievers. Alternatively, you can pack these items in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. For more information on this project, click here.
Women’s Gift Bag
If you have a purse that you no longer use, instead of getting rid of it, fill it feminine hygiene products, pain reliever, a small bottle of water, snacks, a hairbrush, pocket tissues, lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a pair of socks, a few dollars, and anything else you think a homeless woman may need.
Blessing Backpack
We cannot forget the children experiencing homelessness, especially as a new school year approaches. To help, fill a backpack with school supplies. This is important as many students are facing another semester or more of distance learning and will need them. If you have a child, have them help choose the supplies.
You can even do seasonal blessing bags: gift bags at Christmas: spread love bags in February; cold-weather bags in winter, etc. The point is to remember those in need. To all of the bags, adding a note of encouragement is a nice touch. Have your children write the note for the student receiving the backpack.
All item suggestions are optional. What you choose to include in your blessing bags are up to you, but one item that is for sure in need are socks. Other items to add include are snacks, water, and hygiene items.
Please let me know what you think of these blessing bags? Is this a project that you would like to do with your family? Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time! 💕
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
Jesus (John 13:35 AMP)
This is such a sweet and loving post – I admire how you use your platform to do good in the world <3
Thank you, Karen. 🥰
I absolutely love these ideas and am going out to buy what I need to make them – thank you for sharing! Especially during the summer, I tend to buy a case of waters and pass them out! Thanks again!
Thank you, Camila! Distributing water is a great idea in the summer. There is so much we can do to show love to others. I have a bunch of purses that I have not used in years that I am going to make use of for this purpose. 😊💕
This is such a great idea!! Good post!
Thank you!😊
Quite useful and a relief to see the effort towards kindness.
Thank you! Showing kindness is important, especially at times like this when everyone can use some. 😊
I love this idea! So special. Easy enough to do with my little one too!
Thank you! 😊
I love these ideas! Have been wanting practical and easy ways to help someone else, even if it is one at a time. Makes a difference!
Yes it does make a difference; every small act of kindness counts. Thank you! 😊
These are some great ideas – I especially love that you mentioned the importance of women’s hygiene products. I feel like that’s one of the most overlooked items needed by shelters everywhere. Every woman should have access to the products necessary without having to worry.
Thank you, and I totally agree about the women’s hygiene products!
You have such a kind spirit. I love that you involved your students in the process.
Thank you, Nathalie 🥰
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