Do you ever find yourself wanting to do more to help those in need but not knowing where to start? Or feeling overwhelmed by the immense need in your community?
I hate the empty feeling of seeing someone in need and looking the other way. Several years ago, I found a simple way of giving back where I’m able.
I keep sack lunches in my car to give away when I see homeless people around my city. It doesn’t take much effort to prepare them and my children like participating too. I usually prepare 10-12 bags at once and keep a few in a bin in my car at any given time.
Giving away these lunch sacks has shown me that when I extend kindness to others I am blessed just by giving. My children get to see that they can help make a difference in someone else’s day and perhaps life.
I often wonder who has been blessed more by this simple kindness, my children and I, or the person who received the sack lunch.
Non-perishable foods keep well in the vehicle for an indefinite period of time. It isn’t about whether the food is organic, all natural or fresh from the garden. Sometimes it is as simple as a package of peanut butter crackers, some applesauce, and a bottle of water. Every little bit helps!
Here are some of the things I’ve packed into our bags:
Cracker packs, with cheese or peanut butter
Fruit or applesauce cups
Vienna sausages
Ready to eat tuna packs
Cereal bars
Soft snack bars (avoid nuts and crunchy granola bars)
Dessert snacks
Bottled water
Napkin
Plastic fork and spoon
Barefeet In The Kitchen has partnered with Feeding America for a Virtual Food Drive. (You can read more about why we chose Feeding America in the original blog post.)
Working together we provided 27,840 meals for the homeless and we are still working to provide more meals. You can help!
Click the link here to donate your spare change; every dollar donated will provide TEN meals for the hungry. If you’re inspired to pack a lunch or two, tuck it into your car and pass it along to the next hungry person you meet.
Anonymous says
Good for you and thank you!
The Cool Singing Chef says
Wonderful!
Carey says
Great idea! Also, a friend of ours who has been homeless says that wipes are greatly appreciated.
Laura Adams says
Yes please feed the homeless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN THE USA!~
Anonymous says
Wonderful
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
This is such a brilliant cause! Good on you! I hope good karma comes your way! xx
KMR says
How generous of you! Thank you for helping others.
Magnolia Verandah says
How wonderful is this.
Heather says
We do the same kind of thing at my church. I love doing it 🙂
Anonymous says
It is more blessed to give than to receive
Anonymous says
What a wonderful thing to do. Thank you for helping someone less fortunate.
Anonymous says
What a great idea! Thanks for donating to a great cause.
Anonymous says
You are a great organizer. I always pack an extra PB & J sandwich, granola bars and carry extra fruit with me and share when I see someone panhandling or even someone at the bus stop I'm waiting at. I also try to keep change handy to help someone who is short. I actually started thinking about doing something similar to your birthday adventure (buying a day pass and leaving it stuck to the pay station with a note to pay it forward if they can.) 🙂 I am going to try to be more organized like you once we get another vehicle. 🙂 Thanks for shining
His beautiful light, Mary.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Mary, what a lovely idea! I used to keep good quality protein bars in my purse to give to homeless people I might encounter. Your sack lunches would be a real treat!
Anonymous says
Thank you for doing something to make a difference!
Diane Linke says
I'm very impressed…you're doing a great thing here !!!!
Katja says
That´s such a fantastic idea… I will make these bags myself and put them in my car. Thank you for helping and providing such a great idea 🙂
Anonymous says
Thanks for the idea and the caring that you extend to those less fortunate.
Anonymous says
If a homeless person asks for money I usually go and buy them groceries instead. My 5-year-old always wants to go give lunches to the homeless, so this a great idea to just have them on hand.
Anonymous says
I volunteer at a pantry, cooking, baking, roasting helping clients to get food and housing, many live in their cars. It is inclement weather here for about 200 days always cold, this year a drought, windy and cold no rain thanks to God, hunger persists a lot..Not many places helping the hungry and homeless here..It used to be a wonderful place to live but not so much anymore, kids don't go to the high school, no college, lots of drugs, smoking, where are they getting their money from, stealing of homes of people who work and work, we see it all..We are thinking of moving to a less hungry and homeless place but that would be hard, most towns have lost their money for food places due to the congress and senate etc..shame on the congress and senate they live like kings and queens and fabulous retirements and health care for life, oh, my goodness..Love your blog and your ideas for the hungry and homeless..I will show it to my friends, they will think of others and try to make what you said you did on your blog.God's Blessings to you!