Nice idea!

For food, I'd consider whole-grain crackers, dried fruit, perhaps some of those individually-wrapped cheese bites -- nothing that requires special storage after opening if it isn't eaten all at once and nothing that requires utensils (it's just easier to eat that way).

For hygiene products, maybe travel sizes of that hand sanitizer stuff, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrush (esp. a travel toothbrush that can be closed up between uses)?

And, I would bet they may like those little packets of kleenex. Beef jerkey? Snacks with peanut butter? Gift certificates to McDonalds or a fast food chain?

Trail mix,hand lotion,lipbalm,candybars,chips,any high energy foods.

God bless you for thinking of the homeless.
oakleif

Something small that many might not think of: SOCKS. (When my son was involved with homeless, every single person requested socks....very few donors brought them, opting for coats etc)

what a wonderful idea! My sister uses shoe boxes and asks people she knows if they can make up a box or two. Last year she had nearly 200 to donate. Maybe its time i did something like this, maybe you'd all like to make a couple of boxes to donate...........

Jackie,

What a wonderful idea! I'm sure the folks at the Kitchen Table Forum, would have other suggestions as well. Possibly you have asked there already. (?)

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Table Forum

It's a great idea, but it's probably a good idea if you go through an organized charity in the area. They'll be able to help you with suggestions for the contents of the boxes. And should be able to do the distribution for you.

You don't want to be doing that yourself, I wouldn't think. Not only are the areas where the homeless live often very dangerous, but you don't want to go there with no documentation to prove that what you're doing is legit. Just recently, in our area, there's been someone killing prostitutes--you don't want to be mistaken for someone doing harm to the homeless. Not be law enforcement, nor by the homeless themselves--because your generous gifts won't be worth anything if they don't get to those they're intended for, or if the homeless are suspicious of your motives and toss them without using them.

You may risk insulting a homeless person by trying to pass out unsolicited gifts. They are also very leary of strangers and your good intentions may be rebuffed.

Better to donate to an organization. The homeless know where these places are and can partake if they wish.

Just like anyone else whom you would be buying holiday gifts for, they may not want or need what is in the gift box. Believe it or not the homeless can be picky about what they recieve. Maybe they don't need lip balm or do not like trail mix or whole grain crackers? Shampoo is useless if one does not have a place to shower. Hand sanitizer?!? In my town they can't even get the homeless to use the needle exchange program to keep themselves healthy.

Better to donate to a food pantry and let the homeless come in if they wish, and choose what they need from a charity.

Maybe you could set sometime aside, to donate your time at a charity, to help with the extra things they do for those in need around the holidays. They always need extra volunteers around the holidays and throughout the winter.

In past years I've volunteered for the Red Cross and also the Salvation Army. This year I signed up to work as a volunteer server at the Xmas dinner that the Salvation Army puts out for the homeless and underprivledged in Milwaukee. Find out what is done in your town. They may even need volunteers just to phone businesses asking for donations and you could do this from home if you don't drive or get out much.