Homeless Care Kit

Download our Homeless Care toolkit here

Create CARE KITS

Schedule a team builder event to pack CARE KITS for the homeless. Ask team members to keep these kits in their cars to hand out as the opportunity presents itself.

For each kit:

  • Gallon plastic bag with zipper
  • Handwritten note of encouragement
  • Printout of local resources
  • Nice wool socks
  • Bottled water
  • Tuna cracker pack
  • Nail clippers
  • Large bandages
  • Small wet wipes pack

It is recommended not to include hand sanitizer or products containing alcohol.

Partner with the COMMUNITY

Coordinate with established local and national organizations to join them in the work they are already doing.

Some North American Organizations to start with:

Host a WALKATHON

Raise money to donate to an organization working to end homelessness in your community.

Make it simple:

  • Provide information to your team about the organization the funds will go to
  • Choose a date and time to walk
  • Encourage teammates to join, either at a specific location or virtually on their own path
  • Ask teammates to donate and to gather sponsors
  • Invite vendors to sponsor the walk by donating to the cause and joining the team day of
  • Enjoy walking together and celebrate the amount of money raised

Educate YOURSELVES

Invest time into learning more about homelessness and how to support effective community organizations.

Invite your team to attend a lunch and learn where you learn together about some of the truths of homelessness.

Here is one video that can offer great discussion around this topic.

Shop for GOOD

AMAZON:

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Simply login to shop through AmazonSmile.com and choose a nonprofit that is working to end homelessness.

CHARITY CHARGE:

Show your love with the Charity Charge World MasterCard, issued by Commerce Bank. Cardholders can earn 1% cash back on all purchases, which they can use to support their preferred non-profit. Apply today and select a nonprofit that is supporting the homeless community.

COINSTAR:

Donate up to 100% of the funds from your cashed-in coins to benefit a nonprofit of your choice at more than 15,000 Coinstar® donation-enabled kiosks nationwide. Simply select the “donate” option from the kiosk menu.

LYFT:

Your next Lyft ride could help lift people out of homelessness. Your small donations can help make a big change. When you ride, Lyft can round up your payments to the nearest dollar, and donate the difference to the nonprofit you choose. Learn more about how you can make your rides count or just tap ‘Donate’ in the Lyft app menu to get started.

Interesting Homelessness Facts*

  • The average life expectancy of a homeless person is just 50 years.
  • 39.8% of homeless persons are African-Americans.
  •  61% of homeless persons are men and boys.
  • 20% of homeless persons are kids.
  • 42% of street children identify as LGBT.
  • New York City has one-fifth of all US sheltered homeless.
  • The homeless problem is on a downward trend.
  •  Permanent housing interventions have grown by 450% in 5 years.

*Source: Policy Advice