Blessings Bags - Helping Those in Need

One simple way that you can give back to the community you live in and get kids involved is to create Blessing Bag kits to hand out to those in need or to give to homeless shelters.  This is a very real, tangible way to help in a situation where you find someone who is in need and you really feel like you want to do something but are unsure of exactly what to do.  Handing out a Blessing Bag to someone gives you a very real way to meet their immediate needs by providing them with some basic supplies such as toiletries, water, food and warmth.
Blessing Bags are great to keep on hand in your car.

Blessing Bag Instructions:
Gallon Size Ziploc Bag – This is key for several reasons:  Helps to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks.  Also keeps the items from spilling/leaking onto their personal items in their bags
The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks, etc

Suggested Items
Hand-Warmers
Bag of Quarters for use at a laundromat (put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag)
Bottle of Water
Band-Aids
Baby Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
Wash Cloth

Toiletries (If you have a lot of items to include in your bags, travel-size toiletries work great)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb
Personal hygiene items if you’re making a kit for a woman (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc)
Sunscreen
Chapstick

Personal Items:
New Socks
New Underwear
Inexpensive gloves

Non-Perishable Foods (put food in smaller quart sized bag to keep from picking up scent/taste of toiletries):
Granola Bars
Energy Bars
Tuna/cracker packs
Trail mix
Raisins
Peanuts
Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon)
Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes
Water flavor packets