Please help me with a project

[Ritterskoop]

Mom is helping her former church host 12 homeless women in mid-November.

I am providing coffee and tea for a week, which is easy, but here's the project:

I want to get 12 backpacks and put useful stuff in them like toothbrushes and soap, but also I am wanting to think of non-useful items that would be appropriate for their situation.

If you can think of items, please let me know. I am thinking maybe watches, inexpensive radios, like that. Maybe diaries and pens. I am not sure where they stand on the hierarchy of needs. They will have food, clothing and a place to sleep, but I don't know beyond that how interested they will be in small books or like that. I have one afternoon to fill, and I am hoping we can stage some sort of workshop on self-esteem or something practical they can use.

But I don't want to think I know what they need or how they feel. I have no idea. The last thing I want to do is provide luxuries they have no energy for, when what they really want is protein bars.

Oh yeah. Protein bars. The Oh Yeah brand is very good.

Thanks for listening, and for your ideas.

[silvercamaro]

Tubes of hand lotion.
Chapstick.
Perhaps travel packs of Kleenex.
An emery board.

Sorry. I just reread your post and saw "nonuseful." How about at least one luxury item that they can use to make themselves feel more pampered, such as a small bottle of nail polish?

[kayrharris]

What ages are we talking about? Depending on their age, some may need reading glasses. You can get multi-packs at Sams or Costco. Maybe go with a mid range strength say +1.50.

[Ritterskoop]

Great ideas. Thanks.

[kayrharris]

Maybe some hairbrushes and combs, too.

[Estonut]

If you go with radios, try to find the wind-up kind. I've heard they're out there, but have never seen them.

I know that Costco was (perhaps still is) selling wind-up flashlights. Those might be useful, too.

[Tocqueville3]

nice hand sanitizer
baby wipes
those granola bars with the candy pieces in them
pens and small note books
peppermints
calenders
mirrors
gift cards
scarves and gloves for cold weather
bibles

If you're going to do a workshop, be sure to tell them that they are not defined by their circumstances. They are no less important to their community (or to the Lord for that matter!) because they are homeless.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

[mellytu74]

Some of our homeless veterans like crossword puzzle books or word books. With pencils and a pencil sharpener.

One of them once told me that he likes to sit in a park and do some simple crosswords. It does him good to use his mind, he said.

[Kazoo65]

I also like the crossword/word search book idea. It will keep their minds occupied (especially if they are in a waiting room somewhere).

Some other ideas-

small bars of soap
note pads
hats/gloves for colder weather

[Ritterskoop]

At Target, I found three duffles/backpacks for under $10 each.
Three pairs of glasses for a dollar each.
A radio for $9.

They have a dollar travel-size section, but I think I can do even better at the drugstore, and didn't want to spend all the money at once.

I will find packs from several different places, so each one will be different (including the contents).

I love projects.

[secondchance]

What a great idea and suggestions!

The only thing I can think to add is...
...Instead of a separate mirror and hairbrush, how about one of those little hairbrush/mirror combo thingies -- It resembles a powder compact. It's small, round, and flat-ish. It's made of plastic/rubber, and when opened has a mirror on one side like a compact and the hairbrush part on the other half is crammed into itself -- you push it "out" to form it into the hairbrush. It then all folds back together and can fit into a pant pocket. Nifty.

Maybe a powder compact. And a lip gloss stick?

[Ritterskoop]

Tubes of hand lotion.
Chapstick.
Perhaps travel packs of Kleenex.
An emery board.

Sorry. I just reread your post and saw "nonuseful." How about at least one luxury item that they can use to make themselves feel more pampered, such as a small bottle of nail polish?

Mom is taking them next door for a manicure and shampoo/cut. The shop is doing those for $10 per service, which I guess Mom is paying.

I will get some nail polish and emery boards. Probably a store brand rather than Final Answer, though.

[kayrharris]

If you tell them what you're doing, the chances are good they may donate some of that stuff.
Really....

I'll be more than happy to contribute towards the hair/manicure costs. Just let me know. I'll see you tomorrow anyway.

[a1mamacat]

small bottles of cologne or perfume

Headbands/barrettes

Lipgloss

Mascara

They will be feeling bad about life and down on themselves, so some of the things to help them feel "pretty" again.

[MarkBarrett]

My church has helped out this group: http://www.lacasadelasmadres.org/wish_list.html

The website has a wish list that perhaps could be helpful.

[Ritterskoop]

Good list, Mark, thanks.

I bet I can find inexpensive socks through my friend who used to buy and sell them at flea markets.

[cindy.wellman]

At Target, I found three duffles/backpacks for under $10 each.
Three pairs of glasses for a dollar each.
A radio for $9.

They have a dollar travel-size section, but I think I can do even better at the drugstore, and didn't want to spend all the money at once.

I will find packs from several different places, so each one will be different (including the contents).

I love projects.

Skoop,

Find out who the local Mary Kay or Avon District Manager is in your area. Very often they will donate quite a few of the items that have already been mentioned in this thread. If you know a local representative for either company, they will know who their managers are and can get you in touch with them.

Cindy

PS - Huge hugs for you.

[secondchance]

At Target, I found three duffles/backpacks for under $10 each.
Three pairs of glasses for a dollar each.
A radio for $9.

They have a dollar travel-size section, but I think I can do even better at the drugstore, and didn't want to spend all the money at once.

I will find packs from several different places, so each one will be different (including the contents).

I love projects.

Do you have "99 Cent Only" stores in your area? You can find so much of this stuff there, and usually decent quality, too. Tonight I bought a tube of Blistex lip balm at SavOn Drugs for $1.99, and I've seen the exact same one at the 99 Cent store for, well, half the price. They have decent nail polish, hair items, emery boards in bundles, soaps, colognes, lotions, socks, snacks, etc. etc. for so much less-- sometimes even small backpacks or duffles.
Have fun shopping.

[SportsFan68]

This is amazing. Whilst a bunch of people are bemoaning the fate of the homeless, y'all are doing something about it.

[sunflower]

Let me start by saying that you, your mom and your mom's church are doing a great thing.

Everyone already mentioned all of my ideas. I agree that nice little luxury items like nailpolish and lipstick are going to mean a lot. You can also try going to the makeup counters of the big department stores. They will often give samples for things like this, I got Clinique to give me a bunch for a women's shelter in the area a couple of years ago. Origins is also known for being charitable. You may just have to ask for a manager.

Someone may have already mentioned it (probably) - but some really great lotion or face moisturizer would be nice too.

And maybe a deck of playing cards?

I would really love to contribute...if I were in the area I'd offer to help, but I would love to send a check to help out with all of this...let me know where to send it!!

[Ritterskoop]

I would really love to contribute...if I were in the area I'd offer to help, but I would love to send a check to help out with all of this...let me know where to send it!!

You are very kind, as are others. I have sent you a PM.