Mugglemom Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 I do toiletries everytime!! You can get so many for near free or free with coupons as well.
laffnatu Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 Packaging the gifts in a backpack is a great idea. I would do the McDs GCs also. :)
gisellerol Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 I LIKE THE GIFT CARDS AS WELL THEN THEY CAN GET WHAT THEY WANT
jszulis Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 ItemsDeodorantShaving Cream Hygiene ItemsToothbrush and toothpasteSoapShampoo & conditionerLip balmSocks (men’s or women’s)Brush and combTissuesShoelacesHand or body lotionDisposable razorsWriting tablet or paperEnvelopesPens 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 Posted December 6, 2005 Posted December 6, 2005 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 slippersnot sure what else but definitely the game thingyI 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.
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