How to Make “Blessing Bags” For Those in Need
Blessing Bags are a simple way to help others all year long–and involve your kids in a service project from home.
This has been a tough year for so many.
More people than ever are needing assistance. Food pantries have mile-long lines. And as I’m driving around, I’ve noticed more and more folks asking for help, on street corners and at the end of exit ramps.
If you’ve noticed this too and feel unsure about how to help, consider making Blessing Bags.
Blessing Bags, also known as Necessity Bags or Care Kits, include a variety of items for people who are homeless, hungry, and in need of basic necessities. You can keep these bags in your car to offer when you see someone asking for help.
This is also a good way to involve your kids in a service project right from home.
What should you put in a Blessing Bag?
Using this guide, here’s what I bought for mine:
- Socks
- Toothbrush + Toothpaste
- Peanut butter crackers
- Applesauce
- Granola bar
- Mints
- Lip balm
- First-aid kit with single-dose packs of Advil, band-aids, and antibiotic ointment (I used leftover, washed out pill bottles to hold them)
- Gallon-sized zip-top bags to hold everything
Here are some ideas for other items to include:
- Pads + tampons
- Washcloth or face/body wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Face masks
- Bottled water
- Dental floss
- Comb/brush
- Plastic spoon/fork
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Hat and gloves
- Hand/foot warmers
How to make Blessing Bags
Set everything out on a table and form an assembly line. Then stock your car(s) with them. I keep a few in the center console and the driver’s side door, so they’re easy to quickly reach, and I keep a box of them in the trunk to refill.
How to give Blessing Bags
Always ask someone first if they’d like a bag. (Maybe it goes without saying, but please don’t toss it out your car window at anyone.)
I usually ask, “Would you like a bag with some food and supplies?” Nobody has ever turned me down.
Where to buy items for your Blessing Bags
Warehouse stores like Costco are a perfect place to buy items in bulk. I also created a Blessing Bags Amazon List of the items I purchased for mine (I receive a tiny commission when you purchase, but I wanted to make it convenient and couldn’t figure out another way to put it all in one place to make it easy!).
Other ways to help those in need
Check out other posts on Real Mom Nutrition for ways to help in your own community:
- 8 Things You Can Do To Fight Hunger In Your Community
- How Students Can Help Fight Hunger: The Feed A Friend Program
Check out this post from my friends at Salt Effect for more way to give back: 117 Ideas For Volunteering With Your Family
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Once I’m riding the subway regularly again, I am going to make some of these up to carry with me. As it is, I usually have a few extra granola bars on hand.
That’s a great idea, Diane! Also, I didn’t realize you had a blog. Off to read! 🙂
What type of food items would be best?
Shelf-stable things like granola bars, packaged crackers, applesauce or fruit cups (include a spoon), jerky, shelf-stable milk boxes, etc. Hope that gives you some ideas.
Cher Sali! Ca Va! I love, love, love this idea. Just noticed you may need a spoon for the applesauce. 🙂 A bientot, KLER
Yes! I’m now including spoons. 🙂 Merci beaucoup ma cherie!
This article is a great resource. Thanks for sharing. I also want to point out that an organization called Givr has created a subscription service that sends you 2 care packages each month for you to share with people experiencing homelessness in your community. Essentially it’s for people who don’t have the time to make these themselves or who want the accountability of knowing packages are coming each month. Here is their website: beagivr.com.
Hi Sallly, Great website! Loved the idea of these blessings bags! Depending on the giver’s own economics I’ve thought of including a small gift coupon for Dunkin Donuts, Mc Donalds, Subway or some other quick food place in the local area. Or maybe a short personal note card- Hoping these items help you know that others care about you. Hope you have a good day.
That’s a great idea!
I am totally on board with this and we have made these and handed them out. I am currently looking for safety tips (things to remember, things to think about) when handing out these blessing bags. Do you have a list of safety tips for the actual process of handing them out? Thanks. I’m going to add these tips to a conference I’ll be leading in September.
Hi Naomi–I generally give these out at busy intersections. I roll down my window and ask “Would you like some food?” (I’ve never had someone refuse) and then hand them the bag. They say thank you, I say you’re welcome and smile, and roll up my window. That’s about it! 🙂
I live in a very small town. We don’t have people or major intersections. Most of our homeless stay in the park. My suggestions are:
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN DELIVERING BLESSING BAGS
*Don’t get out of your car alone with multiple bags.
*Keep car doors and windows locked
*Don’t go into remote places alone.
*Always deliver in daytime hours
*Alert park security when making deliveries
*Keep your cell phone handy and on
*Consider carrying a loud whistle
*Be alert and aware of the people around you. They may be homeless, but they may not be harmless.
*Don’t carry a large purse or wallet.
*Lock your purse in your trunk and keep keys in a pocket.
*Don’t wear expensive jewelry or clothing.
*Wear comfortable clothing with pockets for personal items and shoes you can run in.
*Don’t give out any personal information
*Consider putting the day, time and where (such as a public parking lot) the next Blessing Bags will be given out on the Hope Card inside the bag.
Thanks for those suggestions. If someone is uncomfortable handing out bags, they can also consider taking them to a local food bank, church, or other place that does outreach to unhoused people in the community.
Hello. I found you site very helpful. Thank you. May I suggest that in addition to addressing hunger, homelessness and other terrible injustices, please consider supporting or writing to politicians on every level who are working to address the underlying causes. I also think it’s a good idea to write to those who oppose reasonable measures.
Excellent point! There are so many things we can do in our communities to address the underlying causes of poverty and homelessness and help give every person a fighting chance. Thank for your comment!
Thank you for creating this blog. I was ale o get some helpful tips and information from reading this!