How-to Make Care Kits to Help the Homeless

A care kit contains essential relief items for adults experiencing homelessness. Things like clean socks, a rain poncho, a hand warmer or gloves, sanitizing wet wipes, and snacks offer comfort to someone living outdoors in difficult conditions. When you make care kits (aka blessing bag), you are showing kindness and compassion for a fellow human being going through difficult times and enduring cruel living conditions. Blanchet House volunteers and staff offer the care kits that you make to their meal guests daily. They are so appreciated! 

Where to Get Care Kit Items

• Most items are available in bulk from their Amazon wish list.
• Dollar stores and grocery stores will have most items.
• NO medications like Tylenol or Advil.

Instructions

One gallon-size zippered plastic bag containing the following:
(No paper bags. Paper falls apart easily but zippered plastic bags can be reused.)

• 1 Mask
  • Cotton or paper.
• 1 Soap or Antibacterial Wipes
  • Individual packs. NO bottles of hand sanitizer.
  • Trial size shampoo or bars of soap.
• 1 Wrapped Store-Bought Snack
  • Must be easy to chew.
  • Fruit snacks, candy, mints, or gum.

Care kits can be dropped off Mon-Sat, at 310 NW Glisan St. from 8:00 – 10:30 am and 1:30 – 4 pm. Please avoid dropping off during meal services. Pull up to the entrance, leave your items in the car, knock on the door to get their attention, and a staff member will retrieve your donation.

If you are unable to deliver these items on your own, contact Nadine Menashe at nadine@jewishportland.org, and she will coordinate a pickup with you.