RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS - BUILD KARMA

[zorgon]

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS - BUILD KARMA

Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming.... and those two days the homeless get plenty to eat...  but can YOU survive on two meals a year?

Seems everyone gets on a guilt trip on those days.

But yesterday I saw something of Facebook that is really a cool idea. 

Homeless Kits



Small bags of goodies that you can keep in the car when those beggars hold out their hand for food.

Now I know many in Pegasus are really tight as well, myself included as I keep swinging from poverty to plenty but I looked in the pantry today and we do have an abundance of supplies we gather from many sources.  Like granola bars for example that we got several cases of cheap... but they do not last forever  so those are one item that would go into the kits without spending any money

Vegas has the advantage of warm weather but many times you can find the emergency FEMA blankets at a thrift store really cheap....  those are mostly recycled wool and are very warm.

I used to donate my old clothing to the thrift stores until I worked at one and saw just how much they throw away (only reselling the best stuff)  so now I leave it in a location I know the homeless will get it directly. They are not as fussy about the looks  as long as its clean



http://www.wanderlyn.com/random-acts-of-kindness/

[zorgon]

Now there is also no shame in self promotion for a group to gain a little recognition....

Sure that homeless person won't care much about the label on the gift package... but others will see it.   And that will help spread the concept.

I know Thor supports Anonymous and at least his group does that OpSafeWinter program, but there is no reason he cannot put his Team Rabum tag on the package seeing as he needs a little advertising to get clean up work

Or Pegasus could make a label and a program that members all around the world can share and unite under. I could create a page to coordinate any effort.

These guys (the ones who made the packages) did the same 



No harm in self promotion and it COULD lead to getting some sponsors to donate supplies


I DO have an official 501c3 corporation (currently dormant) that could be revived ($250.00)  under "Isle of Standauffish" I was planning to do that anyway in January and make one more attempt at the Guild and Project

I just need some BODIES that want to do it

[zorgon]

Care Kits are a simple way to provide practical help to a homeless man or woman.
Keep some in your car so you're prepared to offer to a person in need.

List of things a homeless person needs:

http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/PRM-Infographic-5-Things-Care-Kit-and-Mini-Fliers-web.pdf

Pack a Care Kit
http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/get-involved/pack-a-care-kit/

Items to Include:

A typical Care Kit consists of a watertight gallon-size zipper lock plastic bag filled with items like:

Water bottle
Socks
Tuna and crackers
Granola Bar or cereal bar
Fruit snack or applesauce cup
Crackers with peanut butter or cheese
Gift certificate to fast food
Hand wipes
Pack of Kleenex
Maxi pads
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Nail clippers
Band Aids
Chapstick
Comb or small brush
Mints, cough drops or gum
Rescue Mission meal voucher
Note of encouragement or uplifting Bible verse

Well okay I won't be including that last one   Telling them "Cheer up  God cares!" is not very helpful IMO considering where they are

NOTE:

Fragranced items such as soap, hand lotion or deodorant can negatively affect the taste of food items if placed in the same bag. Pack these separately if you choose to give them.

Avoid items such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer that contain alcohol.

Have a Care Kit party! Gather family, friends, co-workers or your community group to purchase supplies and assemble Care Kits together.

Care Kits are useful both in warm and cold weather. In summer, include sunblock or frozen bottles of water. In winter, include gloves, hats or heatpacks.

When you give your Care Kits away...

Don't be in a hurry. It's okay to slip it out your window to someone on a street corner or freeway ramp. But consider taking time to park the car and hand-deliver it.

Smile. This person probably gets ignored by hundreds of people every day.

Make eye contact. It shows that the person matters.

Don't give money. It's your decision, of course, but we generally discourage giving cash. Instead, ask what their immediate need is and consider how you can help. Buy them a meal? A bus ticket?

Be available to have a conversation. Some people won't want to talk, so be sensitive. Others will be delighted to tell you their story.

Offer resources. Ask if the person knows about Portland Rescue Mission. Be sure they know about meals, shelter, restrooms and other emergency services available. Our Guest Relations staff can often help guide a person to other social services they may not know about.

Be wise. The majority of homeless men and women are not dangerous — they're people just like you. But it's smart to go out as a group when handing out Care Kits.

Inspire others. Share your story of handing out Care Kits with us.

[Sinny]

This is cool, I'd like to do this in the UK.

[zorgon]

Well let me set up a support page so we can track who does what and get some exposure

This is something simple to set up and easy to do...

Anyone want to design a label?