Blessing Bags...

Having worked with homeless people for two years in Des Moines, Iowa (http://www.hopeiowa.org/) I can tell you that giving money to people on the street is always counter-productive. The most "bang for your buck" would be to contribute time/money/resources to your local homeless shelter, preferably a faith-based one (they are statistically the most effective, as afar as recidivism rates go). Next most effective would be to give to national organizations such as the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org/), or Teen Challenge (teenchallengeusa.com/).
By the way, most of these need MONEY more than anything else.

But, if you just want to "feel better" about yourself, go ahead and give out the bags...

Really wanna help 'em? Just give them the money, let 'em buy what they want.

This is awesome Melicious!

We've been doing this for years. We just don't call them "blessing bags." I call condoms that do not break "blessing bags."

Lol. That is awesome!

I just hope that they use them.

They should have socks in them. I think all homeless people need more socks. I saw a teenage homeless girl with no socks and no shoes, the other day :(

i wish i had faith in this stuff as being helpful. the ones hanging out on the street are probably the ones who are scamming for drug/liquor money. anyone down on their luck trying to get back on their feet is most likely not going to be out begging for change and cigarettes. there's a very good chance they are either going to throw these bags away or try to sell them for cash. I know this isn't the PC answer, but i have seen this repetitively every day.

So. That's on them. Not you, not me. I did the right the thing, the caring thing, if they throw it away, or sell it, I can't control that, but I can try to help, and know that I did something, which is better than nothing at all.

just as a philosophical question. . . why would people feel good about giving charity if there is a huge chance it will be a waste and be misused. Like feeling good about giving a homeless person $10 and them killing themselves on drugs because of it. did we do the right thing there? I worry about that when i think about it. I cant think of a better solution either. I used to give a lot

A huge chance? Got anything other than stereotypes to back that up?

other than i see it being done in public, and i work in a hospital where they get admitted in the ER for getting drunk and drugged up and have tried to smoke shoot up or drink every day household supplies. The ones who stand in front of stores trying to sell random stuff in their bags. i don't think i ever ever seen any of them hanging out brushing their teeth and eating granola bars. If they need to or want to clean up and eat and find shelter, they go to homeless shelter or find some place that gives them food for free or clothes or toiletries. There ARE resources out there already if they want them. When they are out there panhandling, it isn't because they want to get back on their feet cause they are down on their luck. If you were homeless would you be standing on street corners, or would you be at a shelter, trying to stay safe and working your way back into society? I don't know why you think this is an opportunity to challenge me. There's no reason to argue over it. If you feel good giving to the homeless then fine. But in my opinion from all that i have seen its better to give to organizations that help those who want the help or to give to families or people who are struggling who have or are looking for work who are at risk of losing their homes. Handing anything to people on sidewalks and street corners is a major crap shoot.

I never mentioned panhandlers did I? You made an assumption.

why are you being a B!tch. I never judged you for being charitable. I'm just explaining why i am not. Besides, i don't have to assume because you and i both know what we are talking about so don't act all surprised about the mention of panhandlers.

I never said I gave these bags to panhandlers. That's what I meant about mentioning panhandlers. I'm not being a bitch, why are you being so sensitive?

When you resort to calling names, at least have the balls to spell it out. You, just earned yourself a block.

A panhandler is specific -- one who has a hand out, with or without a pan. A homeless person might be sitting on a bench with a couple of shopping bags asking for nothing.

Just because you politely posed "a philosophical question" doesn't mean you weren't arguing, you know.

And you sure did judge her when you called her a bitch. With a capital B.

That's a good idea, and one I will be doing asap.

Wonderful. I'm sure they appreciate getting this without having someone preaching religion at them.

"lifting other people up feels good."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Enabling the homeless. Do people really say that? I was homeless for years along with a bunch of other kids, the youngest being seven.. While some may choose that lifestyle most do not and would do anything for a permanent roof over their heads. Acts of kindness are rare, certainly not common enough to make homelessness in any way an appealing situation. These bags are a great idea and I wish more people would do this.

I don't know.... are they people, or trolls. :)

Only people who are extremely "ignorant" to the fact that most people are a few pay checks away from being homeless make asinine comments.

awesome idea, its a pity the rest of the world dont take this on.

What a wonderful idea and such a easy way of helping. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the heads up. Many raves to you and your children.

Thanks Linda. <3

Your welcome. Your a trooper for sure.

I think it's an awesome idea, too, and teaching your children about compassion and charity.
I've never found helping someone to be a negative thing, whether it is lifting them up by kind words, or helping more concretely. When it turned out negative, it wasn't the act, but the person receiving it.

I wish I could do something like this.

My local Stores all have at their entries .. the opportunity for us to purchase pre-filled bags .. so that we can donate to the local charities that serve ..
disabled
elderly in need
veterans in need
remembering those serving so far away now ..
those in abuse shelters
and those who have come upon other hard times (there's a couple of local charities that do just that)
I make a point of trying to purchase a couple of these bags each time I go in ..
(it isn't that much .. but at least it is something)
and the stores then deliver to the charity that you choose ..

(I also save up those labels for education .. one grocery in particular has a bin where you can drop them off .. several small local schools definitely have benefited from this)

Congratulations. You've been blocked. Go be a good Christian with family values and morals elsewhere.

Remember, Christ was all about helping the poor and less fortunate.

Thank you. She does tend to stagnate the area..

oh this one is a 17 yr old mouthy attention seeking bitch, ive followed her posts and answers. good christian my arse, it is one of the most spiteful , rude, arrogant, mouthy child i have come across.oh and will turn shyte around to make her look like the victim.. thats what SH gets for allowing KIDS on Adults sites..

This is why nobody on here takes you seriously when you claim to be a Christian with "morals and family values." This is the exact opposite of what Jesus would say.

I worked with the homess population for many years. Donations of anything is always needed and your idea is great.

Hygiene items are indeed needed. Some believe that the homeless don't need or want such items. We had a day shelter in our city for the homeless that were in need. They were able to shower there. So your items were ideed needed and will be appreciated.

I had donors call me every few months to see how they could help out. I still remember the items that were collected because our facility was open 24/7 365 days a year.

My thanks to you and your boys.

Thanks SA, that is good to know. :)

Just a suggestion for another idea. Some donors would buy a bag of diapers and divide them into about 6 diapers to hand out to the mothers with babies. It really helped out. A bag of diapers would serve at least 6 babies.

Oh that is a good idea. Also, maybe mother's who have some left over could donate as well.

Exactly.