Baskets of Hope..turned it over to the church!! :)

[Quail_Antwerp]

I don't know about in other people's areas, but in our area, when people think of families in need or families on assistance, the first thing they think to do to help is feed them.

Second thing people think of (again, in my area) is clothing for kids.

During fall time, people think coats and hats and gloves.

At Christmas, people think toys for kids, and FOOD again.

Why doesn't anyone think of toilet paper or personal hygiene products???

My mom and I were talking the other day and the comment was made that someone should give out toilet paper and the like to the needy...and I said yea sure would be nice....this morning I woke up and said, "Why am I waiting on Someone to do it? Why don't I do it? Or at least start it?"

So, we're not sure where this will go, or how big it will get, but Ernie and I hope to get enough people involved in our area to give out 100 baskets of Non-Food essentials to families in need.

At first I was thinking of getting some boxes, and I probably still will, and stuff the boxes with whatever we can to donate to a family. Then I thought, laundry baskets!!!

So, the tentative idea is to put items like toilet paper, laundry soap, dish soap deodorant, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste (necessities that foodstamps don't buy) in a laundry basket and give it to a needy family.

There are other things on the list of items that will hopefully be added to the baskets, but a small start is better than getting in over our heads.

We ran the idea by Becca's mom today, and she thinks it's a good one.

I'm so excited, that I can't wait to put together that first basket!

Well, then the problem becomes finding a deserving family....I called our local Help Me Grow and asked if they'd choose a family to recieve the first basket....so I'm waiting to hear back from them...

In the meantime, I'm going to talk to our Church Family on Sunday about it, see what they think, see if they want involved.

Immediate Short term goal, get a basket out to 1 needy family by January 31, 2010.

Short term goal for 2010, to have put together and donated 100 baskets.

Long term goal, to get other communities involved, and maybe a center for families to come pick up their needs.

I'm also thinking only the first time that a family gets the basket will they actually get a laundry basket...I'm thinking after that boxes or bags....

This is the basics on the lists:
laundry basket (first time recieving only)
toilet paper
tissues
soap
deodorant
shampoo
razors
shave cream
feminine hygiene products
hairbrushe/comb
toothpaste
toothbrushes
kitchen cleaner
toilet bowl cleaner
general bathroom cleaner
laundry soap
dish soap

Items that we think would make a nice edition to baskets, but not high on the list of importance:
dish clothes*
dish towels*
bath towels*
wash clothes*
trash bags
light bulbs


*represents items that will be only occassionally given, or only one of each would be included in a basket or would only be given if there was a true need for them.

eta: Ernie and I fully intend to see this through, even if it only ends up being us doing it, even if all we're able to do is give a needy family a pack of toilet paper each month, we're doing it!

eta: I changed my title, because I felt it looked like I was taking credit for an answer God gave me. This is God's Works, not mine.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Great idea Quail!
I always wondered why they always did food and never the "essentials"? That is the hardest things to come by when you are strapped for cash and recieving food stamps.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

QA, I think that is a great idea!
On the local Salvation Army adopt a family program, they usually request a few non-food items, such as those you listed. Diapers, razors & toilet paper are always high on the list.

 

[TanksHill]

That is a great idea Aly. I tell you trip to the dollar store could net all that stuff in one quick sweep. And the basket as well. Maybe I should make one for my sister.

When I did shoe boxes for kids one year with my Mom's group, that's exactly what we did. Toothbrushes, paste , soaps etc... All the little things that usually get forgotten.

I can't wait to see where this goes.



gina

 

[PamsPride]

That is a great idea! The local Angel Food Ministry could probably point you in the right direction to find some families too...or the local food bank. They tend to get the most requests from people needing these items.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I want to add, although I said "my idea" I cannot take credit. I've been wanting to do something to help others for awhile, but wasn't sure what I could do.

If Ernie and I hadn't been in the position we're in now, I don't think I'd have ever fully understood the needs for these kinds of items. We do OK getting them for ourselves, because we learned to include them into our budget.

I do believe this was God's doing, pointing me into a direction that would show me how I can help others, too!

 

[BeccaOH]

It would be nice if WIC or other program helped needy parents get diapers. Those are hard to buy and donate when the sizes vary so much. Unfortunately cloth diapers just aren't realistic for most families and not acceptable at day cares.

Great ideas. Keep it moving.

 

[okiegirl1]

our chuch did this. it took about a month to get all the stuff donated. it was everything needed for Thanksgiving dinner, plus tons of personal hygeine products. The boxes were huge! We lined the santuary walls lined with all the items donated grouped by like items. We had our youth pick a family and go "shopping". The boxes were different because one family might have 2 kids and one might have 6. Then the youth got to help deliver the boxes. They got to see the smiles, got the hugs and really see how it feels to help others. It was a great experience. We helped 25 families this year. We hope to double that next year.

 

[bibliophile birds]

might i suggest q-tips to the list? they are so handy and so often overlooked. and maybe you could put the next round of goodies in cloth or recycled plastic shopping bags. i've bought those for several people i knew wanted them but couldn't justify even the extra $1. they can double for so many other uses as well.

this is a really great idea and i hope you get a lot of community support to help you realize your goal. i think i'll take your lead and hand out a couple in my area!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Oh yea! q-tips and cotton balls!! I had mentioned them earlier to Ernie and Becca's mom, but forgot about them when we were writing the list!

Oh, and I wanted to say, giving food to needy families isn't a bad thing, but families who are already recieving foodstamps don't normally (if they shop smart and well) need food as bad as they need other things!