Patricia
It would be nice if we all had a place to call home and someone to care for our needs. But for those who live on the streets. It is easy to forget homeless people, especially when we do not see them every day. The homeless need all the help they can get, and you should try to help them however you can. Being homeless makes it difficult for them to get a job, eat healthy, keep clean, and stay healthy. Helping out with your time and donations is a great way to support the homeless population in your community.
Homelessness in the United States has been an ongoing societal problem for decades. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in 2020, there were 580,466 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in America. That is a grim statistic. However, being homeless is not easy at all. There are many hazards homeless people face every day as they struggle to survive. For example, they do not have access to basic hygiene and handwashing like the rest of us.
Put a Smile on Someone’s Face with Care Packages
It is easy to get lost in technological advancements and other privileges. Giving back is often very humbling. However, you also get to realize how much you have and how little others have and that you can make a difference. Care packages to the homeless give them a reason to smile. They get to experience genuine affection from us through these packages, which they may not get otherwise.
Filling a care package is a great way to help out someone in need. A hand sanitizer, a bar of soap and a toothbrush are some of the items you can put in a care package for the homeless. In addition, care packages are a great way to show your love, affection and care towards them. These few items can make a world of difference to someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to get decent hygiene.
A Hygiene Kit Offers Hope
When you are living on the street, you tend to lose hope. Getting a hygiene kit brings hope to that person. Basic hygiene and handwashing are basic human needs. The importance of basic hygiene is more evident during the pandemic. Offering this basic need of hygiene through care packages goes a long way in alleviating their struggles. A hygiene kit provides a homeless person with a sense of hope and comfort during their time of need. You send a silent message that you care. Let’s explore the six items the homeless need in their care packages.
Soap and Hand Sanitizers
Everyone has to wash, so it’s always a good idea to include preferably unscented soap, shampoo and hand sanitizer in your care package. Homeless shelters provide beds, food and a brief respite from exposure, but they don’t offer much personal hygiene. As a result, homelessness exposes these people to all kinds of illness-causing agents. Bathing with soap and sanitizing their hands will help reduce contracting diseases. Bathing and clean hands will also help strengthen their immunity and help fight off viruses and infections more easily.
Bandages and Wet Wipes
Being homeless sucks; it’s cold, dirty, and you’re at the bottom of the food chain in every aspect of life. They are a disenfranchised group that faces daily challenges of finding food, shelter, clothing, and basic hygiene. Bandages are helpful for dressing and treating minor wounds and blisters. Gauze is a great way to treat injuries that aren’t too serious. Disinfectant wipes tend to go hand-in-hand with cleaning and dressing wounds. They can use the wipes to sanitize their hands, thus improving their overall health.
Socks and Gloves
Socks are the number one request by most homeless people. Socks help keep their feet dry and warm and protect them from cuts and burns. Having a clean pair of socks can be very helpful. Pick some excellent, quality, thick gloves, preferably thermal and wool socks. During the winter months, hand warmers and a pair of gloves can be helpful as gifts. Gloves help keep hands warm and dry, protect against cuts and abrasions, and provide a sense of security and dignity.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
We usually view the homeless as dirty, smelly and unkempt. While some homeless people may fit the stereotype, many do not. Therefore, they deserve access to necessities like toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash just like anyone else. Be sure to put a toothbrush, dental floss, and toothpaste, preferably non-gel, in your hygiene kit. Oral hygiene is an essential part of basic hygiene, even for homeless people.
Feminine Hygiene Products
The lack of feminine hygiene products can lead to infections, itching, and rashes. The pads and tampons that you donate to the homeless will not only be helpful to them but will also help them maintain their dignity. According to the National Health Care for Homeless Council, more than 100,000 homeless women don’t have access to these products daily. Adding sanitary pads will go a long way in restoring their dignity and protecting their health. You can also add some deodorant and other personal hygiene items.
Toilet Paper
Be sure to include some toilet paper in your care package. The toilet paper will help give the homeless person some dignity and help protect their health. You may think of it as a trivial thing, but it means a lot for many people living on the street or in shelters. I’ve personally met people who were so thankful for this small act of kindness that they cried. Also, include a roll or two in the hygiene kit to provide basic hygiene. Even tiny things like tissue paper matter a lot.
There are thousands of homeless people in the United States, and they must have access to these primary hygiene products. Include these six items in your hygiene kit for the homeless. Care packages can be a much-appreciated but straightforward way of helping homeless people. You can help by organizing a supply drive at your school or workplace or donating directly to a charity.
