What should you put in a homeless care package that will actually help a person in need?

10 Best Things to Put in Homeless Care Kits

For easy reference, here are some of the most-requested items (according to homeless advocates and shelter workers), a “top ten” if you will:

1. Socks (this is the #1 most asked-for item)
2. Gloves
3. Water bottle
4. Bandages
5. Wet wipes
6. Toothbrush and toothpaste
7. Sunscreen
8. Tuna & cracker packs
9. Single-serving snacks like trail mix, nuts, crackers
10. Nail clippers

Often called “blessing bags,” these simple kits are affordable, easy to assemble, and provide an opportunity to share with those in need.

Below, we will take a look at what goes in to the ideal homeless care package, how to choose the right resources, how to put it all together, and tips for giving them out.

Homeless Care Packages that ACTUALLY Help

If you want to make and give out care kits that actually help, you’ll want to think about the main question: what do homeless people need?

WHAT TO PUT INSIDE

Clothing & Accessories

• Socks. Nice, high-quality, thick socks. Wool or thermal socks are best.
• Gloves. Again, one good quality pair of warm gloves will be a much greater blessing than several low-cost items.

What to avoid: Cheap socks, cheap gloves, and most clothing items in general. It is hard to judge a person’s size, and there are many shelters and ministries that provide decent used clothing (include a list of such places in your care kit), but good, clean socks and gloves are a huge necessity and much harder to come by than, say, a t-shirt.

Personal Hygiene

• Nail clippers
• Bandages (large ones, especially useful for blisters)
• Comb and/or brush
• Hand lotion
• Lip balm
• Face towels
• Tooth brush and toothpaste
• Wet wipes
• Maxi pads
• Chewable multivitamins
• Tissues

What to avoid: Soap, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, anything with fragrance, large items. Soap, because anywhere they can get a shower will likely offer soap. Hand sanitizer and mouthwash because they have alcoholic content and this is not a good idea for potential addicts. Fragrance, because it is insulting and many people have sensitivities. Large items, because they are difficult to carry.

If you do choose to include soap (or anything with a fragrance), make sure it is well-packaged and sealed. A bar of soap should be put in its own ziploc bag. Why? Well, especially if you have food items, the fragrances will affect the food.

Food & Snacks

• Water bottle
• Beef jerky
• Tuna salad and cracker packs
• Peanut butter cracker packs
• Breakfast/protein bars (watch out for melty chocolate)
• Raisins, craisins, other dried fruit
• Mints
• Other non-perishable food items

What to avoid: Gum, nuts, or anything difficult to chew. Many homeless individuals develop dental issues, so it is best to start with things that are easier on the teeth. Also avoid cans that don’t have a pop-top.

Misc Extras

• Headlamp flashlight
• Rain ponchos
• Flashlight
• Hand warmers
• Can opener
• Quarters for laundry
• Feminine hygiene products
• Cough drops
• Tarp
• Sewing kit
• First aid kit
• Utensils
• Ziploc bags

A light, tight homeless care kit

After all the research and asking professionals and trial and error, here is my personal rendition of a light, tight homeless care kit that packs the most amount of blessing in the smallest amount of space.

This also balances cost so you can afford to give out more.

For each kit:

• Gallon plastic bag with zipper (1 x $0.20)
• Handwritten note of encouragement
• Printout of local resources
• Nice wool socks (1 x $4-6)
• Water bottle (1 x $0.35)
• Tuna cracker pack (1 x $1)
• Nail clippers (1 x $0.50)
• Large bandages (5 x $0.15)
• Individually wrapped wet wipes (5 x $0.05)

Total size: 10″ x 6″ x 4″ (approximate)

Total cost: $7-10 per pack, depending on actual price and if you get bulk.

Let’s take a little closer look at each item.

PLASTIC BAG

You’ll want to start with a nice zipper plastic bag. Why the zipper? The regular types tent to stop sealing after opening and closing a few times.

Spend the extra pennies to get the nice ones, and the person who receives this will get a bonus reusable bag they can use to store important personal effects after they use the items from the care kit.

HAND WRITTEN NOTE

It is very important, IMO, to write a note by hand.

Why? It shows that you care.

Just like a hand-written thank you note, hand-written invitations, or anything else.

You can put a tract inside, but a personal note is a must. Everyone sees the pre-printed tracts like junk mail – one glance tells you what it is, and it gets tossed.

Instead, write why you are giving this care kit, that you love, care for, value them, and include a Bible verse or prayer of blessing. This will go much further than a tract that you spent zero effort on.

For our kits, we had blank cards with envelopes in which we wrote Bible verses and notes of encouragement. The kids helped out, copying down some verses and also coming up with their own encouragements.

We thought that having several people write in a note was a good way to show that more than one person is caring for the recipient through each package.

Just make sure you think through what you write so that your notes don’t sound condescending, and proof-read anything written by kids.

LIST OF LOCAL RESOURCES

Additionally, along with the note you can print a list of local homeless resources.

Include local homeless shelters and soup kitchens. List where they can get a hot meal or shower, a haircut, help with jobs or addiction recovery, a bed for the night, clothing, restrooms, and anything else. Contact the local shelters and ask them for recommendations.

We included the contact info for the nearest (and to our knowledge, best) shelter in the area and printed it, four to a page, then cut them out and slipped one into each card.

The note included some details of what the shelter offers – lodging, showers, food, haircuts, addiction recovery, etc.

NICE WOOL SOCKS

Once again, this is simply the #1 most needed item. Even if you’re doing homeless hygiene kits that focus on hygienic needs, socks will go a long ways towards making your kit a genuine blessing bag.

Durable, warm, cozy, high-quality socks are a must for people who walk almost everywhere in the thickest boots they can find.

You can go cheap on everything else, but don’t skimp on the socks.

BOTTLED WATER

Proper hydration is difficult when you are out on the streets. Bottled water takes up a lot of space in your care package, but they can drink it right away or toss it if they need to.

If they need the water, it is at very little cost to you and a huge, huge, immediate blessing.

If they don’t need it, again, very little cost and a plastic water bottle is very easy to toss.

TUNA CRACKER PACK

These little packs have good protein, include carbs, keep for a while, don’t melt, and are delicious.

This seems to be one of the best balances between healthy (but perishable) and non-perishable (but super unhealthy).

You can also substitute other protein and carbohydrate-rich foods with a long shelf life, like individually packaged beef jerky/sticks or peanut butter crackers.

NAIL CLIPPERS

Nail clippers are a simple tool that is easily taken for granted. It’s the little things that can make a huge difference.

You can get them at the dollar store or order in bulk online for less, and it will be a much-appreciated and oft-used item.

LARGE BANDAGES

Primarily for blisters. Think about it: if you are on your feet all day, walking everywhere you need to go, how often are you going to get chafed skin, blister, and sores?

Get a bulk pack of large 3-4″ bandaids and divide them up in little baggies to go inside all the homeless care kits you pack.

WET WIPES

Another no-brainer, once you think of it. Wet wipes, aka baby wipes, are a small, portable, handy, and appreciated luxury. Go for the individually wrapped ones.

What not to give a homeless person

We’ve mentioned several of these items above, but here is everything to avoid in one place:

• Cash
• Matches
• Perishable items
• Sticky, crunchy, or hard foods like gum or nuts (potential dental issues)
• Sugary foods
• Soaps and fragrant items
• Mouthwash
• Large items
• Clothes that must be a specific size
• Sharp objects (disposable razors, etc)
• Used items
• Your personal contact information

Gift cards can be ok, especially if they are for a local restaurant, a grocery store, or for gas. But even then most professionals who work with the homeless community recommend that you do not give anything of value that could be sold or traded.

Tips for great care packages

Try to keep the bags small. Not everyone can carry around a lot of stuff, so aim for fewer but better items.

Write a personal note. Write – in your own handwriting – a card that says their welfare is important to you, that they are loved, that you are praying for them, that they are valued, etc. Feel free to mention why you are doing this; perhaps as an expression of your faith, because you’ve been there yourself, etc.

Include a list of resources. Addresses for the local gospel rescue mission, men’s shelter, women’s shelter, places they can get meals, shelter, and showers, where they can receive emegerncy medical services, and more. Contact your local shelter and ask them, as they will be an invaluable resource with a hands-on knowledge of the needs of the homeless in your area, plus what resources are available.

Take your time. Pull the car over and get out and talk if you can. Ask their name, their story. A hand-delivered care package, a few minutes of conversation, a smile, genuine eye contact, all this can go a long ways towards showing someone that they are important, valued, and loved.

Ask to pray with them. Not everyone will say yes, and that’s ok. Respect their wishes, but if they say yes, pray for them and that they would be blessed. Also pray before and after you give the homeless care package.

Be safe. Most homeless men and women are not dangerous. They are people just like anyone else. Still, it is wise to be in a group when handing out homeless kits, especially if you are going to stop and get out.

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The post How to make Homeless Care Kits that ACTUALLY help appeared first on All Gifts Considered.

In this post, we’re going to talk about what people mean when they say “random acts of kindness.” Then we’ll hit on ways that we can do these things to show the love in Jesus in both word and deed.

Lastly, we’ve put together a list of 50 random acts of kindness for Christians that you can use as a springboard to share the love of Jesus with those around you.

Let’s get to it!

What Are Random Acts of Kindness?

Random acts of kindness are simple and selfless acts that show generosity and care towards people in unexpected ways.

The phrase originated when Anne Herbert tweaked a line from a newspaper describing “random violence and senseless acts of cruelty” and reworked it to say, “practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”

Skip to the end to see our list of 50 random acts of kindness ideas.

How should I do Random Acts of Kindness in a way that shows the love of Jesus?

There are many creative ways to show the love of Jesus through “random acts of kindness.” The basic principles, I think, are to 1) give generously of your wealth, 2) give generously of your time, and 3) personalize it with the gospel.

I think that when you give generously of your time and wealth, you create a personal connection, which in turn provides the opportunity to share the gospel.

Let’s take a look at these, but first I’ll address a couple of objections.

Objections: (Not So) Random Acts of Kindness

First of all, there’s a bit of debate about the value of random acts of kindness. Since they are, by definition, random, what does it really do? What purpose does it serve? And for Christians, is there really a value in giving apart from the gospel?

Welllllll…..

Let’s not overthink this, people. The Bible calls us to be gracious and generous. We’re called to love and serve others. We’re told specifically that love is kind. So I don’t think it takes a theology degree to realize that small acts of kindness are a natural by-product of a loving heart.

You can smile at the store clerk and give them a compliment. Of course that doesn’t take away your duty to evangelize the lost or your obligation to love and serve the church or your responsibility to give of your abundance in big and consistent ways. But you’re not being any less like Jesus when you smile at people and treat them well. That’s a random act of kindness, yes, but it’s not really so random because it’s the overflow the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification.

Also, some people are put off by the word “random.” But by thinking about, preparing for, and planning these small acts of kindness, it’s not really random, is it? These are opportunities for you to intentionally love others, even if they are strangers.

At the same time, don’t use these sorts of things as substitutes for preaching the gospel or contributing to the needs of the saints (aka tithing). Some people do random acts of kindness instead of giving to the church and sharing the gospel. It should be in addition to.

So please, don’t overthink this kind of thing. Just think of it as another way to love Jesus and love others.

Let’s talk about how to do this.

A) Give Generously of Your Wealth

You are wealthy.

Sure, maybe you have a tough time making ends meet. (I’ve been there, multiple times.) Maybe you are out of a job, or scraping your way through college, or facing huge medical bills. Or perhaps you are just an average Joe (or Jane) with an average job and average bills. Or maybe you are on the other end of the spectrum and are financially set for life.

In any of those cases, and in every other possibility, you are still wealthy.

Not because you are an American. Not because you are in a first-world country. And definitely not because you have a particular number of commas in your bank account balance.

No, you are wealthy because you are a child of the King.

I know you have heard that one before. But let it really sink in for a minute.

Hopefully you are already part of the way down this road. In fact, you probably are, because you’re reading an article on Random Acts of Kindness. That means you get that you live in abundance and are looking for ways to give. Nice!!

Still… take another minute and let the thought marinate. You are a child of the King of the universe, with an eternal inheritance that will never diminish, fade, or tarnish.

That’s awesome.

So because of this eternal reality, you really can give of your wealth. God will provide. Yes, give within your means. Yes, use your brain and budget and all that good stuff.

The takeaway is this: If you are going to give, give well.

Give generously.

All the random acts of kindness below can be done well or poorly. In honor of Jesus, my plea to you is to do what you do well.

Are you inviting someone to dinner? Get the good ingredients. Get champagne. Make sure there is enough. You can have a fancy restaurant cater, or you can do your specialty of grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Whether your budget can take a fancy night out on the town or only humble sandwiches, do what you do with the best you can. Skip your Starbucks for a couple of days so you can afford that little something extra. You know what this means for your situation.

B) Give Generously of Your Time

Giving stuff is easy. The hard part, for many of us, involves giving up our time.

We need “me time.” (Or so we think.) We need to spend time with our families. (Which, yes, we totally should. But that so easily becomes an excuse.) Gotta put in overtime to please the boss and line up that promotion, or to pay off that loan for the boat. Gotta catch up on the latest episode of that TV series so we have something to talk about with friends.

You know the answer to most of this kind of thing. No, we don’t **need** all that time. Some time for all these things, sure. But you and I both know we use these morally-neutral things to avoid doing the more difficult things.

Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. Our time is given to us by our heavenly Father, who gives and takes away as he pleases. When you stand before him on the last day, what will really matter? What will you wish you had done?

Why not do it now?

Plus, giving our time is so much more effective than just giving stuff like money or buying a lunch or paying off a bill. Those things are certainly needed at times – and my family has been blessed by those “random acts of kindness” many times. But I think we all intuitively know that personal interaction is way more powerful than giving money or stuff.

I could dig up all the facts and figures, but if you’ve tracked with me this far I don’t think I need to. You and I know it’s true: Spending quality time with someone has a far greater effect than a material gift.

C) Personalize It With the Gospel

In the list below, I’m not going to spell out exactly how to share the gospel using these ideas. For most of these random acts of kindness, the gift or act itself is the main thing.

But do not fall into the trap of that terrible old saying, so often attributed to St. Francis. “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” Nope. That’s rubbish.

We do not preach with our deeds apart from the actual telling of the gospel. Our preaching is certainly backed up by good deeds, but we should not separate the two.

We should be ready at all times to show love to others through good works, and we should be ready at all times to share the gospel. It is not either/or, it is both/and.

So make sure that actually sharing the story of Jesus and what he has done on the cross is a part of your random acts of kindness. You don’t want to be forced or overly preachy, but at the same time you should make clear that your love is rooted in the gospel and in the love of Jesus.

Most of these ideas are 1) a gift, 2) an act of service, or 3) a time of conversation and relationship building.

For gifts, leave a note attached that says why you are doing this – to share the love of Jesus.

For an act of service, either leave a note or simply tell the person why.

And for relationship building, think through things like the gospel story, why you believe what you believe, your testimony, and questions to ask to get to know and understand the person.

These will all provide ways to share the gospel through your random act of kindness.

OK, ready? Here we go!

50 Random Acts of Kindness

1. Invite someone over for dinner and provide wonderful food
2. Invite someone over for a backyard BBQ or fire pit
3. Send a “just because” card with a personal handwritten message
4. Leave laundry detergent tied with a ribbon, a note of love, and a bag of quarters at the laundromat
5. Make cookies for someone – neighbor, coworker, a favorite cashier
6. Bring coffee or tea to the staff at your child’s school
7. Bring donuts or cupcakes to the janitorial staff at work or school
8. Take a plate of cookies to your neighbors, and spend a few minutes talking to them and getting to know them
9. Ding dong ditch someone. Leave a box of Ding Dongs (and maybe some other cool stuff) and literally ring their doorbell and scram
10. Drop off a hot meal for someone who is ill, lost a loved one, or just came home from the hospital (call first to arrange!)
11. Mail a gift card to someone going through a rough season
12. Buy a gift card at a bookstore and leave it in a book
13. Bring someone takeout from their favorite restaurant
14. Put together a meal that doesn’t need refrigeration and drop if off on someone’s doorstep
15. Send flowers to someone
16. Leave $2 in the Redbox case when you return the disc. Include a note that says “Your movie night is on us! Just a tiny way to show you the love of Jesus” or something like that. Make sure you don’t cover the part of the disc that gets scanned though, or you’ll just be giving it to the Redbox attendant! (Who might be the one who needs it…….)
17. Mow your neighbor’s lawn
18. Rake your neighbor’s leaves
19. Shovel your neighbor’s driveway and/or walkway
20. Weed your neighbor’s flower garden
21. Take out your neighbor’s bins on trash day
22. Distribute coloring books and crayons in the local ER or urgent care waiting room
23. Leave a thank-you note for service professionals like the garbage collector, mail carrier, UPS/FedEx drivers, and so on
24. Write and send a card to a hospitalized child. Note that most hospitals and card sending programs don’t allow religious messages or references on the cards
25. Leave an encouraging note on a car windshield in the parking lot
26. Tell someone about what makes them special to you
27. Write to soldiers overseas
28. Buy a gift through Compassion International for needs such as a baby’s medical care, food for a malnourished child, or HIV/AIDS care. Compassion’s gifts are provided through staff, volunteers, and local churches who seek to show compassion in Jesus’ name
29. Support a child through Compassion International (or other similar organizations). The neat thing about Compassion is that not only do they try to connect children with local churches, they also encourage you to write to the child and you can share the gospel that way
30. Make pillowcase dresses to send to children in Africa
31. Donate blood
32. Offer to babysit so a couple you know can have a date night
33. Offer to babysit the kids of a single mom so she can go shopping or just have a few hours to herself (make this a regular thing!)
34. Mentor a young adult
35. Offer a free class to kids (or beginner-level adults) on a topic in which you are skilled or knowledgeable: crochet, history, meal planning, budgeting, soccer, art, photography, woodworking, car maintenance, etc
36. Make and give out homeless care kits
37. Donate your used clothing and household goods to a local homeless shelter, mission, or thrift store
38. Pay the toll or entry fee for the person behind you
39. Pay the bill for that family with all the young kids at the restaurant
40. Keep an extra umbrella in your car to give to someone when it’s raining
41. Help someone move
42. Talk to someone on the street. Buy them a meal, hang out with them, give them a hug or an affirming touch
43. Go talk to the person sitting all by themselves at church, in the lunchroom, or at a party
44. Learn how to garden so you can connect with a lonely neighbor who is always working on their yard
45. Look for opportunities to compliment someone. I’m always surprised at how my wife will notice and compliment, say, a grocery checkout person’s earrings or hair. They are always blessed by it!
46. Tape coins onto a hospital vending machine to bless the next person
47. During the holidays, put together Christmas shoe boxes filled with toys for children around the world. Find out more at Samaritan’s Purse
48. Connect with a missionary family serving abroad and find out ways to help them: send books and seasonings they can’t get where they are, help them with their website, etc
49. If you have a friend or relative who has lost a loved one, note the day of that person’s death and remember to send a card, gift, or encouraging text on the anniversary of their loved one’s death (read more here)
50. Bury a little “treasure box” (a small plastic container) at the playground with a few tiny toys or coins and a gospel note about real treasure (think Matthew 13:44-46)

More Random Acts of Kindness

Remember, please don’t limit your acts of kindness to only situations where you can verbalize the gospel. If you do so, you’ll probably miss a lot of opportunities to build relationships.

On the other hand, don’t allow yourself to think that you’re fulfilling the Great Commission to share the good news by an act of kindness without ever actually talking about Jesus.

We need both. I think that the best approach is to

1. Plan “random” acts of kindness that embed a gospel presentation so that you
2. Train yourself to be ready to give, serve, show love, or preach in every season or circumstance, and as you do so you will
3. Become the sort of person for whom Jesus-like acts of kindness become a natural thing

What are some more ways to show the love of Jesus through random acts of kindness? Leave a comment below!

Read Next: How to Give Thoughtful Gifts

The post 50 Random Acts of Kindness for Christians to Share the Love of Jesus appeared first on All Gifts Considered.

At any age, children (and adults!) can learn to give, serve, help, support, and comfort. If you’re looking into family volunteer opportunities, you probably already see the value in creating a culture of service in your home.

So you don’t need a lecture on how all this will shape your children’s hearts and minds. You know it will. But how do you do it? How do you get your toddlers and young kids to get their minds off of themselves and their wants so that they can really consider the needs of others?

Well, the simple answer is to start doing that yourself. Face it: children imitate what they see. So a big part of this is to have them see you volunteer, you serve, you give.

That’s the main thing. Still, you want to find ways to volunteer and serve and give that your kids can be a part of so that they can see mom and dad practicing what they preach.

So let’s get right to it. Here are 15 family volunteer opportunities that can work for all ages.

15 Family Volunteer Opportunities for All Ages

1. Donate Food to a Local Food Bank

✓ Great for littles

This is an easy one for kid participation. While you are at home, the family can work together to clean out your canned goods cupboard and start a stockpile of donations. At the same time, start talking about the needs of others and how your donations can be used to bless them.

When you donate your unused canned or packaged goods, it is a nice way to clear out your shelves and put your unwanted food items to good use.*

*Just don’t give damaged, expired, or unlabeled items

However, I would encourage you to not stop there. Talk with your kids and ask them, “What types of food would you enjoy/want/need if you were homeless or out of a job?”

Remind them that your donation of that old can of beets left over from Thanksgiving isn’t really an act of generosity. I mean, sure, it’s better to donate it than to toss it in the trash, but it’s not like the widow’s two mites. It doesn’t cost anything to give.

Instead, brainstorm together for some good quality items you can go out and purchase specifically for those in need. Talk to them about money, talk about the costs of what you are giving and how that relates to your family’s food budget and general financial stability. This is a great opportunity to train their minds to think well about wealth and generosity.

Here is a list based on one from The Kitchn of nonperishable food and toiletries items to donate. These are the items that are most often requested by food banks, shelters, and pantries.

What Food Banks Need Most

• Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or other meats
• Canned beans
• Dried beans
• Canned soups and stews
• Peanut butter
• Nuts
• Canned chili
• Trail mix
• Rice (especially whole grain)
• Oatmeal
• Pasta (especially whole grain)
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Canned vegetables
• Cooking oils (such as olive oil or canola oil)
• Spices
• Flour
• Baking, biscuit, and pancake mixes (ones that only require water are best
• Shelf-stable non-dairy milk
• 100% juice drinks (no corn syrup)
• 100% fruit cans and cups (no corn syrup)
• Holiday staples like canned pumpkin and boxed stuffing
• Baby formula
• Diapers and wipes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap
• Lotion

2. Volunteer at the Food Bank

✓ Great for ages 6+

Guess what? The whole family* can volunteer at that same local food bank where you donate your food. What a great way to provide some continuity to your family’s giving!

*Within reason; there’s not much for a toddler to do and they may end up in the way. Ask the volunteer manager, and use your judgment.

At the same time, actually being there helps make it more of a reality to your kids. You’ll be surprised at how compassionate and thoughtful they can become with a little hands-on experience.

3. Make Care Kits and Give Them to the Homeless

✓ Great for littles

We recently started doing this as a family, and it has totally changed how we see the people who hold cardboard signs at street corners. The kids get way into it, and actively watch out for busy intersections for potential recipients.

These are really easy to make, not very expensive, and totally blesses both the recipient and the giver.

Somehow I had always thought the best way to help someone is to not give them money. While that’s probably true (all the studies and people who work with the homeless say so), I recently became convicted about this. Because I thought I knew what was best, I would end up sitting in my car trying to avoid eye contact. Lame.

All that changed when we started giving these care kits out. Now, if we don’t have a care kit, I’ll usually try to give a dollar if I have cash on me. Yes, they’ll probably spend it on you-know-what. No, no one can afford to give to every person who asks.

The main thing, for me, was to have by attitude or general orientation about it change so that I can see people for who they are and be ready to give out of the overflow of what I have recieved. Do they deserve it? Who knows. But I know I don’t deserve all the blessings that I have received, so why not give?

See here for our guide to making homeless care packages.

4. Clean Up the Neighborhood

✓ Great for littles

Another easy one that just takes some time and a little effort. Spend an afternoon every couple of weeks cleaning up the litter from around your neighborhood. It can be your street, a nearby area, a local park, or wherever you see the need.

To get even the youngest children involved, give them gloves and a trash bag and let them loose. They’ll get the idea all the more as they see everyone else doing the same thing.

Wear gloves and keep a close eye on the kids. Warn them about needles, bandages, broken glass, rusty nails; the usual suspects. Pick an area and get it clean, then keep it clean as the weeks and months go by. Hopefully you can slowly expand the your litter-pickup area as it gets better maintained.

Also, be sure to talk to your neighbors about it. Not in a bragging way, but just get the word out and encourage others to participate.

If the need is great, you can organize a neighborhood-wide event. Do it all yourself, or try contacting the local government for assistance. Cities generally want to encourage any community involvement like this, and will often be happy to provide items like trash bags, gloves, brooms, rakes, and even dumpsters.

5. Put Together Christmas Shoe Boxes

✓ Great for ages 5+

Operation Christmas Child is a great ministry that gives “shoe boxes” full of Christmas gifts to kids living in impoverished areas.

Your kids will love picking out gifts for others. Take them down to the local dollar or discount store for many of the simple hygiene items. Make sure to also include a nice gift – a “wow” item – from a regular department or toy store.

Here are the sorts of things to include in a shoe box:

• A “wow” item – soccer ball, doll, Lego set, etc
• Personal care items – comb, toothbrush, bandages, flashlight
• School supplies – notebooks, pencils, crayons, pencil case
• Clothing & accessories – shirts, pants, underwear, dress
• Crafts & activities – coloring book, puzzles, jump rope
• Toys – ball with pump, Etch-a-sketch, yo-yo

Also write a personal note from the whole family. Our kids always want to include drawings and we often do a decorated Scripture verse or a prayer.

Lastly, to really get your kids involved in the spirit of giving, have them earn the money to buy the gifts themselves. Set up a lemonade stand, sell cookies or muffins door to door, do a car wash. It will mean all the more that way.

6. Put Together Hospital Activity Boxes

✓ Great for ages 5+

This is not so very different from the Christmas shoe boxes. You’ll brainstorm ideas for good activities for hospitalized kids, then go out and buy what you need. The whole family can pitch in the organize and prepare the boxes or bags.

Check with your local hospital to see if they already have a program in place. Also make sure to ask about rules for what can and cannot be included in gift bags. Some hospitals will not allow personal notes, while others only allow notes if they do not include any religious messages.

Here are a few organizations that coordinate gift boxes for hospitalized kids. Check out their websites for further ideas and opportunities:

• The Jared Box Project
• Caitlin’s Smiles
• Happy Hope Bags
• And again, you can often work directly with your local hospital

7. Join a Meal Ministry

✓ Great for all ages

Sign up for Meals on Wheels, a national organization dedicated to bringing meals to people with limited mobility. Practically speaking, it means delivering a meal to an elderly or disabled person and spending some time with them. What a great way to show love to someone in need!

Your church will also often have a meal ministry. This is a group of people who will cook hot meals or prepare freezer meals for church members – families or individuals – in need. Whether a family is dealing with a hospitalization, new baby, death of a loved one, sickness, or financial difficulty, these meals can be a genuine help.

If you don’t go to church (or your church doesn’t have a meals ministry) and there is no Meals on Wheels-type organization in your area, you can still keep your eyes open for people in need. Every community will have births, deaths, illnesses, and other things that make life tough for a season. Be ready to jump in and bring a meal and a word of encouragement!

Kids can be involved in meal delivery at any age. For the youngest toddlers, explain what you are doing and why. Have them carry a loaf of bread or bag of chips to the door. As kids get older, they can get more involved in the meal preparation and delivery.

8. Visit the Elderly at a Nursing Home

✓ Great for all ages

It’s important to honor the generations who have lived before us. All too often, the elderly get pushed into a nursing home and forgotten. Meanwhile, the rest of us get busy with family, school, work, and daily life.

Everyone loves kids. Older “seasoned citizens” are certainly no exception. So this is a great volunteer opportunity for the whole family, no matter your children’s ages. They won’t care if your toddler spills Cheerios or if your baby spits up.

The important thing is that you are providing personal contact and companionship for people in a community that often feels isolated.

However, do try to make your nursing home visits regular and consistent. As noted by Susan V. Bosak from Legacy Project,

While a single visit to a nursing home is a valuable experience for children and will brighten the day for older adults, an ongoing visitation program is most effective. Said one staff member in a nursing home, “We don’t want it to be ‘let’s go see the old people’ just like it’s a trip to the Statue of Liberty.” An ongoing series of visits allows the understanding and trust to develop which are essential for a real connection between people of any age.

Legacy Project

Visit the elderly at a nursing home and you’ll be practicing acts of kindness for others while modeling for your children how to put others before themselves. Here are some tips and further resources on how to get started.

Related: Best Gifts for Nursing Home Residents

9. Be a Friend to the Mentally Disabled

✓ Great for ages 6+

Many residential treatment centers for the mentally disabled have “buddy” programs. They will pair your family up with a special-needs adult and show you what to do.

Mainly, this sort of role is simple. Just be their friend! They might like to watch TV, talk a mile a minute, or just watch as your kids play. You’ll learn to roll with it.

Every person is special and unique, but our need for companionship is the same. This is another great way for you and your family to serve others, while teaching your kids that it’s cool to be friends with people who are different.

10. Volunteer at a Retreat for Families with Disabilities

✓ Great for ages 13+

This is a great option in place of the typical church mission trip. Joni & Friends is a ministry to and for people with disabilities. They offer several “family retreats” where the person with a disability enjoys a fun and exciting “camp” atmosphere, allowing the family a much-needed period of rest and relaxation. It’s a beautiful service to families affected by disability.

Your family can participate by serving as a friend to a disabled camper for the week. No prior experience is required, and you won’t need to do any sort of medical or personal care for the camper. You will simply be their friend for the week – eat meals together, be with them for games and activities, and be their companion during free time.

The volunteer must be over 18 years of age, but they regularly allow younger teens to volunteer alongside a parent. (Ages, availability, and requirements will vary for each situation. Contact them for further details.)

Our church has done this for many years, with teens and mature older children serving alongside their parents. It has been much more productive and character-building than the typical youth mission trip. The camp leaders encourage the campers and families with the gospel and Christ-centered teaching. And you get to make a lifelong friend! All while serving and blessing a family that has been profoundly affected by disability. It’s a win.

11. Sponsor a Child

✓ Great for all ages

There are many wonderful Christian ministries that provide the opportunity for you and your family to “sponsor” a child. It’s a great way to show the love of Christ to someone in need, while at the same time opening up your children’s minds to think about material and spiritual poverty throughout the world.

Your sponsorship works by paying a small monthly subscription (usually in the range of $30-50). The organization will direct most of those funds (minus operating costs) to a specific child. Sometimes this means purchasing food, medical supplies, school books, clothing, and other necessities. Other times it means pooling the resources to tackle a larger problem, like providing clean water for the the entire area.

The best organizations will also often work personally with the child so that they can share the gospel and get them involved in a church or Bible studies. Two of the best and best-known are Compassion International (we sponsor a child through them) and World Vision.

Put the child’s photo up on the fridge. Get the whole family involved in praying for the child, writing letters, and contributing a little extra for birthday or Christmas gifts. It’s a lovely, simple, yet powerful way to show the love of Christ.

12. Offer Free Babysitting Services

✓ Great for kids 10+

Every family needs a babysitter sometimes. Keep an eye out especially for people who have no family or have recently relocated because of a job, military, or other reasons. Life can be difficult when you don’t have the built-in support system of your hometown family.

If your kids are young, they can “help” by playing with the children you are babysitting. It doesn’t matter if there are age differences. It’s a good lesson to learn at an early age: you can be friends even if someone is not the same as you (different age, different background, etc).

Older kids can actually start helping. Our daughter started helping out in the nursery at church around age 9, and she loves babysitting little ones.

Your children can get involved in other ways as well. They can clean the house before and/or after, help prepare and distribute snacks, and “donate” toys and activities from their rooms for everyone to play with. These are all great family volunteer opportunities!

13. Ding-Dong-Ditch a Family in Need

✓ Great for all ages

Chances are you will regularly know families facing trying circumstances. Pregnant mothers or families with a newborn, someone who just lost a job, families grieving the loss of a loved one, people in financial difficulties, single parents; the list could go on and on.

Get the whole family involved in creating a gift basket. Cook a delicious hot meal, go shopping together for a bag of premium groceries, make or buy comfort gifts like chocolate and a movie, get some neat toys or crafts for the kids.

Make sure the family is home, then drop the gift on their porch, ring the doorbell, and run! It’s an exciting and memorable way to give.

14. Send Thank-You Notes to Service Professionals

✓ Great for all ages

Writing thank-you notes as a family is a great way to cultivate thankfulness. At the same time, your notes will be a blessing and encouragement to those in your community who help to make the world a better place.

• Teachers
• Police officers
• Fire fighters
• Soldiers
• Hospital staff
• Recycling and sanitation workers
• Pastors and church staff
• Postal and package delivery drivers (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc)
• Workers and volunteers at local charitable organizations
• Employees at any place you visit or shop at regularly

Even your youngest children can help with this. They can draw a hospital or fire truck and sign their art (“Olivia, age 3”). The recipients will love it!

15. Start a Business Venture with Proceeds Going to Charity

✓ Great for kids 5+

Think small, like a lemonade or hot chocolate stand. Or think big, with a lawn mowing business or a full-on family-run shop selling stuff online. Either way, teach your kids to work with a purpose.

Choose an organization to support. This can be a homeless shelter, food bank, pregnancy resource center, missionaries or missions organization, disaster relief, mentorship program, evangelism and outreach ministries, even an animal shelter. Ideally this will be a local organization, somewhere you can go and personally deliver the proceeds and even volunteer.

Tell all your customers what you are all about and why you are doing this. Not only will it encourage some to hire you or buy from you, knowing that it will support a good cause, but it will also open the door to share the gospel to many others. And it will help link together work, service, and giving for the gospel’s sake in your children’s minds.

More Family Volunteer Opportunities

Here are a few more family volunteer opportunities for you to consider:

• Help out at an animal shelter
• Send anonymous gift boxes or subscription boxes
• Build houses with Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteer at fundraising fairs, drives, or tournaments for ministries and organizations you support
• Donate your goods or money to an organization in person, so your kids can see more of what that organization does
• Do yard work for neighbors
• Make birthday cards for foster children

What other ways has your family volunteered or served together?

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