Creating Care Kits
We create care kits for people experiencing homelessness by collecting items from a few categories: Hydration, Nutrition, Aid, and Comfort. We then assemble them in bags to give out. Consider this guide a starting point, as we find it valuable to reflect on how these kits could be made more helpful and practical and adapt them accordingly.
For example, at different times of year, the most useful items will vary, and as you’ll see below, we make a point to accommodate some variations in kit contents to be responsive to varying needs of the people we encounter. If you’re keeping the kits in your car, you’ll also want to consider which items will best stand up to the seasonal weather, as some foods might go bad in the summer heat, while items containing liquids could freeze and burst in the winter.
Shopping List
Supplies
1-Gallon Resealable Bags - These are used as the container for the assembled items. Tip: If you buy resealable bags with 2 different colors of zippers/seals, you can use the colors to distinguish between kit combinations, such as kits including feminine hygiene products and kits without.
1-Quart Resealable Bags - These are useful for sealing loose items or items containing liquids that could leak.
Services & Resources Flier - Including a list of locally available services and resources can help those experiencing homelessness to find their way to the most impactful kind of assistance. You can find a list of Santa Fe local shelters and emergency housing here: https://www.santafenm.gov/shelteremergency_housing.
Personal Note - Consider writing some kind words to include in each kit. Many people experiencing homelessness find that one of the most challenging aspects is the feeling of being unseen and dehumanized. A small note can make the kit much more personal.
Hydration
In winter, keep in mind that liquids will freeze if kept in your car. During these months, you might consider keeping the kits in your home between car rides, or alternatively make sure to include water supplements like electrolytes in the kits and leave out the liquids entirely.
Water
Juice Pouches
Electrolyte powder
Nutrition
When considering what kinds of food to include in the care kits, choose based on nutritional value, shelf-life, and packing efficiency. Also keep in mind other factors, like prevalence of dental issues among people experiencing homelessness that can make very crunchy and chewy foods more difficult and even painful to eat.
Crackers - Soft crackers (like Ritz, for example) can be eaten comfortably and can be used with both savory protein pouches and sweeter peanut butter and jelly. We like to put an entire unopened sleeve of crackers in each kit.
Single Serving Peanut Butter & Jelly Pouches - These divided pouches take up little space in the kits and make it easy to spread peanut butter and jelly onto crackers.
Chicken / Tuna Pouches - Like the PBJ pouches, these can easily be added to crackers, bringing variety through the addition of a savory flavor to the care kit and the essential inclusion of a protein.
Soft Fruit Bars - These offer offer essential calories and nutrition without being too hard to eat for those with aching teeth.
Aid
Mask
Handwipes or Hand Sanitizer
Lotion
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Kleenex
Bandages / Bandaids
Feminine Hygiene Products
Mylar Emergency Blanket
Comfort
Socks - Consider the season, and in winter be sure to include warm socks that can stand up to the very cold temperatures we experience.
Gloves - Any small, warm articles you’re able to include can make a huge impact during our coldest winter months.
Hand Warmers - In addition to socks and gloves, other warming items like hand warmers are often the items we’ve found to generate the most enthusiastic response.
Something Sweet - A sweet treat like a peanut butter cup or a chocolate bar can be a very welcome small pleasure.
Optional Items
Fruit - It is likely impractical to put fresh fruit in the care kits, but when leaving the house, considering taking fresh fruit with you to offer something of better nutritional value in case you encounter someone in need.
Toys - Sometimes you’ll encounter families experiencing homelessness, so having a toy or two with your kits to add when appropriate can be a welcome treat for the kiddos.
Dog Food - Often people experiencing homelessness are accompanied by beloved canine companions who they take great pleasure in caring for. We often find that small bags of dog food elicit a more positive response than the kits themselves!
Gift Cards - Some people are uncomfortable giving cash, so gift cards to nearby fast food restaurants that welcome the homeless are an alternative worth considering.
Assembly
We like to begin the process of putting the kits together by gathering all the items in a single place to form an assembly line.
Start by grouping items of similar types and sizes, like the aid items, in the 1-quart bags.
If you’ve purchased bags with different colors to create distinct kits (for example, some with and some without feminine hygiene products) don’t forget to sort your items correctly.
Assemble the items in the 1-gallon bags.
We like to put our finished kits in a canvas bag, along with any optional items, like toys and dog food to make it easier to keep them together and move them around as needed.
Delivery
Keep these kits in your car, and when you encounter someone who could use them, you can offer them, making sure to obey all traffic laws and otherwise do so safely.
When you give these kits to people, take care to be present with them in your moments together, brief as they may be. As with the personal notes in the kits, these interactions are an opportunity to do more than just give a collection of items, but even more to share a moment of connection.