grab bags
Thursday, November 5, 2009 
Just after college I had the opportunity to participate in something called a "poverty simulation". For one weekend, me and about 20 others received a crash course on poverty in America. We learned about many reasons, misconceptions and even possible solutions for this complicated topic. From there we "took to the streets". With nothing but the clothes on our backs and a sleeping bag, we spent the weekend figuring out how to make-do. It was very humbling and very eye-opening. I remember a group of former sorority sisters driving by wide-eyed as I stood on a corner with a sign asking for help. Undoubtedly, it was one of the best experiences of my life. Sometimes we need to stand on the other side of the sign to gain some perspective.
One of the bits of wisdom that I remember most from that time was that when you approach a homeless person, whether walking up or approaching them in your car - make eye contact. If you don't want to give them anything else, at least offer them a smile. Many of us avoid eye contact at all cost, not wanting to engage the person in any way. We were taught about the dehumanizing effect of person after person avoiding eye contact with someone. It can be more crippling than nearly any other aspect of poverty. We don't know this person's story, and really it doesn't matter. What matters is that this person is another member of the human race and should be treated as such.
My kids are really interested in the homeless people in our area. I have spent the last year kicking myself whenever I forget to have something on hand to offer them as I always like to give something. So finally a couple of weeks back I finally got my bottom over to Sams and the kids and I walked the aisles determining what would be the best items to include in our "grab bags" for our homeless neighbors. We ended up getting large ziploc freezer bags and filling them each with a water bottle, clif bar, beef jerkey, toothbrush, breath strips, wet wipes, gum, chapstick, and a pair of socks. We also wrote little notes and added those as well. The whole thing cost a little over $100 for about 25 bags. I refer to them as grab bags beacuse the point is to keep them on hand so you have something to grab and offer when you need it.
We put several in my car and several in my husbands. The kids loved putting the bags together and it spawned lots of lively conversation about a myriad of related topics. They are now quick to point out when they see a homeless person and are thrilled to have something to share with them. It's a small thing. It may not change the face of poverty in this nation, but it sure changes the face of the neighbor we just met.
Sean suggested that we add area shelter information and I am going to try to get that into the bags today. It has been such a great project for the kids, and for us. I'm hoping that we stick with this one for the long haul and as we start to run low on bags we quickly run out and replenish. It's such a small effort to demonstrate love to some folks that may really be needing some.
{image by dailyad}
Reader Comments (30)
This is a great idea! I feel bad about not giving something when I see people, but most of the time I don't have cash on me. This is really inspirational and what a great way to teach your kids about helping people.
I like this idea better than giving them the change I can scrounge. I never have cash either. And, it is a great point about making eye contact. Occassionally I'll see a man asking for help on the street. One day he waved at me and I looked over. I was busy trying not to look at him. He made the motion for me to smile. I did. And I immediately felt guilty that I didn't offer him that first.
This is a wonderful post. I do not live in an area where I come across too many homeless people. However, I have definitely been inspired to have grab bags in the car at all time. I am going to do this project with my kids. Thank you so much for sharing a truly wonderful post.
You are a GENIUS!! I always give something, especially if my children are in the car because it sets a good example, but these are so much more hands-on for my kids and I love it!! THANK YOU!!!
what a fantastic idea. i so want to do this.
This is an important issue that you address here. I often don't know how to react to homeless people - my heart goes out to them but I don't want to give them money when I don't know what they will do it. However, you have great ideas on how to give back in a right and meaningful way. You've inspired me! Thank you!
Wow, what an amazing use of creativity. You have a very generous heart, and your kids are really learning that from you. That's really amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Emily. My mother used to do this when we were kids, too, and it had a profound impact on me. Now, as an adult, I work in social service, and see what you're talking about all the time. How evident our shame is for our failures to have compassion on our brothers and sisters, so much that we won't even make eye contact. Thanks for introducing your children (and your readers) to this simple step in the process of redemption.
I was reading about good things to include in grab bags for the homeless and came across this blog written by a sometimes homeless guy - http://thehomelessguy.wordpress.com/. He includes a post on the idea of grab bags and even makes suggestions on what to include. Alot of his suggestions are toiletry items like travel sized soap, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, etc. Check it out for more ideas.
this is fabulous. what inspiration!
I commend you for giving such a fine example for your children! My two daughters are adults now. But if more parents would think like you do, we'd see better human beings. I am a Meals On Wheels volunteer, which makes me aware of what those less fortunate have to deal with. If I wore one, I'd surely take my hat off to you!
Brenda
AWESOME IDEA!
I am new to your blog and I love that the first post I read after adding it to my reader is this one. This is a lovely idea!!
This was my first time looking at your blog. This is an amazing, inspiring post. I am absolutely going to do this with my son. What a creative idea and what a sensitive way to help.
what a fascinating lesson.
This is a wonderful post - I'm off to share it far and wide. What a great idea, and how tangible for your kids!
I got the Apartment Therapy book today, and I love it! Thank you.
wonderful idea. thank you.
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
So awesome and refreshing! Wow, you can bet I will be following your lead and doing the same when my son gets to be a little older!! Thank you!
I LOVE spending time with the homeless! They have so much to say and just want someone to listen and care. We're so easily patronizing and we both feel and act guilty among those who have missed out on society's material blessings. This is a wonderful idea since I feel that it's wrong not to offer something of all that I have, but am never quite sure whether I should give money.
Wonderful way to introduce kids to the less fortunate members of human society. It is wonderful to read posts like this... keep up the good work.
Love the idea!
Also, thanks for sharing your blog with us. Whenever I come by, I find a little moment of happiness to look at the beautiful images on your blog.
this is a brilliant, fantastic, inspiring idea.
thank you. we are promptly going to steal it!
xo
This is the most wonderful gesture of gratitude. I am working on being grateful this month since it is Thanksgiving and I hate it when I don't have a dollar or something to give when I see someone with a sign. My husband and son feel the same way. Thank you for sharing this story and your ideas so we all have something to think about and an acitivity to help.
we did this last christmas at a mom and kids holiday party instead of making crafts. it was really neat to be able to give things out when moment presented itself. the kids loved it!
Thank you so much for posting this. It is such a good idea and such a positive and proactive way to address a really depressing issue.
i'm just teary eyed about this. it is so inspiring. i get on this blog to see decor related, esthetically appealing photos & narrative that also gives me ideas & stuff to think about, but it isn't usually like this. thanks for being such a great person. seriously. you must be to think of this let alone do it. i need to do this project asap. it really is changing the world one person at a time...even if the only ones you are truly changing are your own children! what's more important, right?
I wanted to let you know how touched I was to read your post. That is such a kind and special thing you and your family do to help out your neighbors in need, and many could learn from you. I don't live in a large city, which means I don't see many, if any, homeless people around, which I take for granted because although i may not see them they are around. You have showed me how a simple act can make a difference in someones life and I hope to start my own way of helping to better my community and the people in it.
Thank you for sharing. So important to apply faith in all situations. We live in Asia and just passed on the poverty simulation information to our humanities/service learning/religion teacher friend at an international school in Hong Kong. Our girls are 2 and 4 and for the past year and a half every Tuesday night we have a social consciousness dinner of a bowl of grain (brown rice, millet, barley). During the meal we discuss that most people in the world eat just this daily (no vegetables, fruit or clean water) and some only once a day or less. With a globe on the table we look at different places with huge poverty issues. At the close of the meal we pray for the poor and the girls put the equivalent of five US dollars in a can to donate to a local food bank. (We have lived briefly in other Asian countries and during our stay have done the same, donating the monies locally.) The girls may seem too young to grasp the idea, but they are not. Our two year old randomly asks to 'pway poor' when she notices the donation can or anytime she thinks of it. Our four year old definitely gets it and often when we ask her where many poor people live she answers 'America.' (She clearly recalls seeing and assisting more homeless there during visits, though her American counterparts would likely reply the country we live in if asked the same question! It's all perspective.) We hope to expand on this idea as they get older, having them select the charity, delve deeper into the political poverty issues and so on. (On a sidenote, our family is formed by adoption and wish your family all the best with your upcoming adoption - another example of that faith application...)
this is such a great post..thank you so much for sharing this with us!! so inspiring and it makes me feel like yesss there are good people out there!! i share your desire to help the poor...my husband and i are actually trying to open a soup kitchen downtown right now..we have a possible building and things are just really falling into place. we both felt like there was something more we could do...thanks for this encouraging post!