Christmas Care Package for a Homeless Person
Of the many good causes that request care package donations at Christmas, charities that work with the homeless are often overlooked. Many people think that if the person has no home they will not be able to use any small gift. Equally, people imagine the homeless to also be addicts or criminals and prefer not to offer help to them.
Homelessness can strike even middle income individuals. Illness, unscrupulous landlords, natural disasters or family breakdown can all result in a person becoming homeless. At Christmas, the stark reality of living on the streets can be difficult to bear.
Not all homeless people live on the streets. Many live in hostels, or sleep on a succession of friend's sofas, but have nowhere to call their own home. If your local housing charity is requesting care packages this year, there are several items that you can donate that will be useful and appreciated by any homeless person.
Often you will be able to specify whether your care package or box should be given to a male or female, and sometimes you will also be able to suggest an age group. Sadly, children can become homeless along with their parents or carers. Selecting suitable items is easier if you have some idea of the type of person who may receive them.
Hygiene products
Personal hygiene can be difficult to maintain for anyone living on the street. Even if you are sleeping on a friend's floor, you may have a very limited space and budget to cover toiletries. Including a few basic items in the care package will help the individual to feel better about themselves and improve their self esteem.
Toothpaste, a toothbrush and dental floss will help reduce the dental issues that many homeless people face. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles so as not to aggravate gum disease and cause bleeding.
An deodorant in a roll-on or stick form is smaller than an aerosol and less likely to be used for any other purpose. Soap is not practical, but wet wipes and hand sanitiser are good items to include. If your care package is for a female, then sanitary items and hair grips or bands are also great things to include.
Other items such as nail clippers, corn plasters, a nail file, antiseptic cream and a small bandage or some pre-cut sticking plasters will all be useful.
Clothing
Small items of clothing are good to put into a care package for a homeless person. Gloves, socks and underwear all take up little space in the box. A woolly hat is ideal for either gender, as much of the heat lost from the body in cold weather escapes from the head.
Depending on the size of your package, you may be able to include a pair of old shoes. These should have some wear left in them, and if they require laces, it is a nice touch to provide some new ones. Homeless people often experience difficulties with their feet, so a couple of pairs of new socks can be a blessing.
Food
Keep in mind that most homeless people will have nowhere to store any food items, and no where to make their own hot drinks. Food that can be eaten cold, and that is packed in individual portions are the best things to include in a care package. Hard candy or cough sweets are a good choice. Small packets of cookies, individual cake slices or some chocolate will all be a treat.
You may also want to include a basic can opener, and a cutlery set of a fork, spoon and knife. A tin mug, bowl and plastic water bottle would make excellent items to include.
Care packages for the homeless are a selfless way of sharing the spirit of Christmas. If you want to help further, you may want to consider spending some time helping in a soup kitchen or hostel over the Christmas period too.
