Are you looking for a use for all those free samples you receive? Why not make a Blessing Bag for the homeless? Simply take items you have received for FREE and place them in a large Ziploc bag. Next time a homeless person asks you for money, you can give them a Blessing Bag instead (or as well; whatever your heart tells you to do).
Here are a few ideas on what you can put inside your Blessing Bag:
chap stick
packages of tissues
toothbrush and toothpaste
comb
soap
trail mix
granola bars
crackers
pack of gum
band aids
mouthwash
hand wipes
If you are new to Couponing, you might want to take a moment to read more in my Getting Started Couponing series. It will teach you how to coupon like I do!
(Thanks KWAVS and I am Mom, Hear Me Roar)
This is such a great idea! I typically carry granola bars to give to homeless people in my area, but I think I’ll start doing this too.
When we lived in Denver, CO there were a lot of homeless people. I wasnt using coupons yet but we would put snacks, sandwiches, some change, drink, etc. and we used brown paper bags and called them Sand Bags. A little love goes a long way. I once ran into a man digging in a garbage can for food outside of the Denver public library and everyone walked buy turning up their noses so I stopped and offered him the $5 I had in my pocket. He then apologized to me for being like that in front of my kids. I couldnt imagine him apologizing but he did and he was so thankful. Come to find out not only was he homeless but he was trying to find food for his dog that he had found on the streets.
THis is a great idea! Love it! Thanks!
We used to do this as a service project. We would have kids bring in items and washcloths. We would put some of the personal hygiene items in the washcloth and tie it up. We would then take our packages to the local rescue mission. The volunteers there said that it was good for their families because it was enough for them to carry but not too much. It was a great way to get the kids involved!!
We had been doing this for almost two years, and we have two kind of bags, one for homeless people, with stuff that don’t need to cook, and a different bag for people who are having trouble with money, but still have a place to live, with things that they can prepared at home, like mac and cheese or sometimes a box of cereal. and the best part is that my girls (8 & 5) really love to help them, sometimes they give them their snack if we run out of bags
That’s a great idea. Last Thanksgiving I was driving home from work and stopped to get gas. I also wanted to rent some Redbox movies but there was a homeless guy standing next to the Redbox machine. I was like, “oh great, he’s gonna ask me for money and bother me” (I know, very unChristian of me) So I get out and he says: “Excuse me, do you have any change you could spare?” I was like no, sorry the machine only takes credit cards” He goes, ” Ok well Thank you for at least talking to me” I rented my movie and since my car was parked right in front of the machine, I said “Sir, would you like a plate of Thanksgiving dinner? My boss brought me an extra one today at work for my kids, but they have already ate” You would have thought I just offered him a million dollars! He was so happy and he even started crying. He said it had been years since he had actual turkey on Thansgiving. He had to eat the food with his hands, but he didn’t even care. He was so happy. So I think these bags are a great idea! Some homeless people do just want money for drugs and beer, but most of them are greatful for even the spare change we keep in our cars. I would be awesome to give them something they can actually use that we get for a few pennies with our coupons! Thanks for the idea!!! ..and sorry for the novel :)
Our quilting guild has been doing this along time, we call them gallons of love. They are donated to the women homeless shelter. This is also a very good idea
This is such a wonderful blessing to so many people….i’ve been homeless before, and you don’t know how wonderful something as simple as toothpaste and a toothbursh is. So many people take it for granted.
This is a fantastic idea. I see homless Veterans frequently here and always give what I can but keeping these packs in the car and handing them out would be so much more benificial.
LOVE this :)