What would you buy a Male / Female charity gift for a Homeless shelter?

[Mugglemom]

My children's Sunday School classes sponser a local homeless shelter and every year they each have to buy a gift for a man or woman. This year we have 2 females, one male. Usually, I go to Old Navy and buy a fleece, gloves, and scarf. I would like to get creative this year, but am coming up blank. I feel like it should be an appropriate gift that the person could actuallly use, but on the other hand, I feel like someone would like a more fun gift instead. Maybe throw in some gift certificates to Mc D's or something else. Is this appropriate? Do you have any ideas?

 

Thanks!

[decafmom]

Yes, I think gift certificates are appropriate. There is a local drive for the homeless every year here. It is year long, but the gifts are given at Christmas. Each person gets a box that has personal items, gloves, socks, playing cards, candy bars, books, etc. I think other nice gift ideas would include a pillow or maybe a nice bag of sorts. You could package the gift in a new backpack or duffle bag. Let us know of any other creative ideas you come up with.

[coneeny4]

My local grocery store had a tree with names of eldery people and what they wanted. I took a man and a woman and both wanted toiletries that seemed to be the items everyone wanted.

[dealluvr]

this is just me but i would get a handheld video game,blackjack,whatever,some xtra batteries,a fun scarf,they have stretchie gloves for cheap at craft stores,warm slippers

not sure what else but definitely the game thingy

[alimfp]

I do toiletries everytime!! You can get so many for near free or free with coupons as well.

[laffnatu]

Packaging the gifts in a backpack is a great idea.

 

I would do the McDs GCs also. :)

[gisellerol]

I LIKE THE GIFT CARDS AS WELL THEN THEY CAN GET WHAT THEY WANT

[jszulis]

I would give them a fleece blanket and wrap the gloves, socks, hat, and a flashlight up inside. McD gift certificates sound great for a hot cup of coffee when they are cold.

[fingerlakesmom]

Great idea's already

 

I would also include a card thinking about you etectera

 

Oh also maybe soem candy or oetrh special snacky thing

 

Personally I think backpack would be better than duffle easier to carry

[queenofshopping]

i know when we give to the shelter by where my parents work they generally ask for things like socks, slippers, toiletries, etc, & we usually also give something extra like a board game (chess or checkers) too

[mitchandalisha]

All of the above ideas are great and especially packaging the items in a backpack is great! I know that when I did volunteer work at a homeless shelter, I always saw them reading books. All the time! So, possibly add a book. I know they wouldn't mind what kind of book, but maybe some sort of novel that is out. (I don't read much, so I don';t know what is popular)

[Marcster]

One of our Web site clients is the Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, PA. This is their list of needs from their Web site:

 

Hygiene/Personal Items

Deodorant

Shaving Cream

Hygiene Items

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Soap

Shampoo & conditioner

Lip balm

Socks (men’s or women’s)

Brush and comb

Tissues

Shoelaces

Hand or body lotion

Disposable razors

Writing tablet or paper

Envelopes

Pens

 

http://www.wsrm.org/wishlist.php

 

I would imagine that postage stamps and antimicrobial hand cleaner would also be needed.

 

(This Web site is not our design... this is their old design as we work out what they want in their new site).

[decafmom]

I like the idea of the hand cleaner! Another thought is a package of the Wash'NGo wipes. I keep wipes in my car and use them all the time. Another thought might be some tea bags. Hot water is available almost anywhere and it would be a nice addition. Oh, another thought...how about the instand hand warmers? They sell them at the checkout at my Wal*Mart and I've seen them lots of other places. Those things are awesome!

[treasure60]

If you could you should get things on the list Marcster has and put them in a backpack. That way they could carry them around and not risk losing them or having them stolen.

[Marcster]

If you could you should get things on the list Marcster has and put them in a backpack. That way they could carry them around and not risk losing them or having them stolen.

That's a good idea! Or a "fanny pack" since these things are all relatively compact.

[leefamily23]

Since Burger King, McDonalds, and Tim Hortons all offer GC's in $1 increments. I think even $4-5 would be a great bonus gift w/ something. It would be a nice treat.

[Marcster]

Since Burger King, McDonalds, and Tim Hortons all offer GC's in $1 increments. I think even $4-5 would be a great bonus gift w/ something. It would be a nice treat.

That is a good idea, I'd also add that you should pick places that are nearby to where the shelter is located. Nothing like gift cards that would require a bus ride to redeem...

[Gumball]

this is just me but i would get a handheld video game,blackjack,whatever,some xtra batteries,a fun scarf,they have stretchie gloves for cheap at craft stores,warm slippers

not sure what else but definitely the game thingy

I would check with the shelter to see what is allowed first before adding things like a video game. I used to work for a women's shelter run by a religious group and they were very strict on what they would and wouldn't allow. Anything like gambling was a no-no.