Top Ten Gift Ideas for Your Local Mission or Homeless Shelter

Christmas and Thanksgiving are especially hard on people who find themselves living in a homeless shelter. They often remember better times in years past and, wondering if they will ever get out of the hole they seem to have fallen into, they sink into a depression that makes any improvement in their circumstances seem impossible.

People who are more fortunate can make all the difference in the world to these people who feel as though the world has forgotten them, by the simple act of seeing that each of them has a small gift at Christmas time, or a small packet of personal items to remind them that someone does care, at any time of the year.

Our local mission has a women's and children's department separate from the men's department so there are even more opportunities for those in our community to help. Talking to the director of the mission, I found that the following items are always welcome for Christmas gift packets for their residents.

Women's Gifts:

1. Shampoo in small, unbreakable, bottles they can take with them when they move on.
2. Warm knit gloves in bright colors.
3. Warm, knee-length stockings in bright colors.
4. Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
5. Deodorant
6. Nail Polish
7. Small stationery kit with notepaper, envelopes, pen, stamps.
8. Phone card in small denomination
9. Comb, hairbrush, and small hand mirror.
10.Fragrant soap and washcloth

Men's Gifts:

1. Warm socks
2. Colored Handkerchiefs
3. Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
4. Warm jersey gloves
5. Knit stocking cap
6. A sports, racecar, or motorcycle magazine
7. Comb
8. Disposable razors
9. Phone card in small denomination
10 Soap and washcloth

Children's Gifts:

1. Clothing-especially coats, t-shirts, and shoes.
2. Warm socks
3. Warm caps
4. Warm gloves
5. Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
6. Comb and brush
7. Washcloth and soap
8. School supplies. Kids really don't like to be different. Living in a shelter makes them feel inferior already, so making sure thaty have the same school supplies as the other children in their class is a step in the right direction.
9. Toys-it might be appropriate to call the shelter to ask the ages of the children in residence at any given time so you will have an idea of the types of toys to choose
10. A small personal quilt for very small children often gives them a sense of security when they find themselves in a strange place with unfamiliar faces.

The mission can also use gifts of food and bedding at any time of the year:

1. Sheets, pillowcases, and quilts. Several women could get together to make a quilt.
2. Men's pj bottoms with ties so that one size fits all. Lots of the men arrive with no sleeping garments so this is a much needed item.
3. Coffee
4. Turkeys, chicken, and other meat in large quanities
5. Beans
6. Potatoes in hundred pound bags. Potatoes, beans, and coffee are served in some form nearly every day.
7. Bread and other bakery items
8. Fresh produce in season
9. Cereals-hot and cold
10. Personal care items. Residents come and go frequently so personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, shampoo, etc. are always in demand. Those who stay for longer periods are encouraged to practice good grooming habits as a way of preparing them for entry back into a more stable living environment.

If you haven't already done so, why not arrange for a tour of your local homeless shelter. You will be amazed to find it is probably far from the drunken "flophouses" of yesteryear. Today's missions are clean and cheerful. The residents are encouraged to learn skills that will help them get back on their feet and out into society again. Rules against drinking and doing drugs are strictly enforced so that those who do wish to recover from whatever problem brought them here, will have every chance to do so.

If you are planning a nice Christmas for your family, try to remember to pick up a few little gifts for those who will be spending that holiday among strangers at the local mission. It won't cost you much, but it just might give the recipient a reason to hope again.