NOURISHMENT (FOODSTUFFS/DRINKSTUFFS)
Foods need to make sense. They need to be “functional foods” which can be easily stored, easily stashed, or easily or eaten “on the go.” Most homeless people have no can openers, no heating elements, limited access to anything which would allow them to use anything with preparation beyond adding water (and even water is scarce). They usually only have personal storage space, so large items are out. The more compact, and the less perishable, the better.
Non-perishable items can be stored for a later time. Don’t overstock yourself on perishable items, as you may be overstocked with extras which will go to waste. This is especially so for the same type of perishable items–repetition is boring.
It is sometimes difficult to find that fine line between quality and quantity. Certainly, some of the cheaper, more basic things will keep someone alive (as attested to by the offerings of many homeless shelters), but I’ve found that the act of charity should also bring with it an acknowledgment that you care–and better quality and variety foodstuffs and drinkstuffs can mean just that.
The best way to serve these things is by making a large box with a variety of items, offering what you have, and letting whomever decide what they want. It’s always good to have someone stand by your main supply whose job at any given stop is to fill boxes when they run low on one supply, or need to be completely refilled. A box should be kept filled on standby.
Of all these items, clean drinkable water is the most important.
(You can live up to three weeks without food, but only three days without water). Expect to hand out twice as much water than any other item–more if the items you hand out require water to make.
_Food
__No Preparation (Pre-packaged; Individual Size; Non-Perishable)
___Cereal Bars/Granola Bars
___Cookies
___Crackers (plain or flavored)
___Dried Fruit/Fruit Leather
___Energy Bars
___Freeze-Dried Vegetables
___Jerkey or other Shelf-Stable Meat (or meat substitute equivalent)
___Nuts/Seeds/Baked Soybeans
___Peanut Butter/Nut Butter
___Shelf Stable Fruit Cups/Applesauce Cups
___Shelf-Stable Cheeses
___Shelf-Stable Pudding Cups
___Trail Mix/GORP
___Vacuum-Packed Fish & Chicken (pull-tab or pouch)
__No Preparation (Perishable)
___Fruit (sturdy, low-tooth fruit preferred)
__Requires Preparation (Perishable; Cold Service)
___Cereal Packs (how-to below)*
___Hard Boiled Eggs
___Logan Bread (how-to below)**
___Sandwiches
__Requires Preparation (Hot Service)
___Chili
___Coffee
___Soup
__Requires Preparation (Non-Perishable)
___MRE
___Ready-to-Eat Meals
___Soup In A Cup
_Beverages
__No Preparation (Non-Perishable)
___Bottled Water
___Juice Boxes
__No Preparation (Perishable)
___Bottles/Cans of Fruit/Vegetable
Juice
___Shelf-Stable Milk/Milk Substitute (High Temperature/Short Time Ultra Flash-Pasturized)
____Note: Once opened/made, these dairy products can spoil.
__Requires Preparation (Perishable)
___Powdered Milk
__Requires Preparation (Non-Perishable)
___Instant Beverage Enhancers – Cold (Iced Tea, Kool Aid, Lemonade, Powdered Gatorade, etc.)
___Instant Beverage Enhancers – Hot (Instant Cappuccino, Instant Hot Coco, Instant Coffee, etc.)
_Other Items
___Altoids
___Gum
___Hard Candy
___Plastic Sealed Packs of “fun sized” Candy (M&M’s, Reeces Pieces, etc.; loose foil wrapped chocolate melts)
___Sugar Packets (for beverages)
MISCELLANEOUS FOOD SERVICE
___Containers and Serving Utensils for Bulk Items (Large Stable Pots for Chili/Soup/etc. and ladles)
___Condiments
___Cups (Hot/Cold Beverage)
___Soup Cups
___Lids
___Utensils (forks, spoons, knives; individually wrapped preferred)
HEALTH
____Note: I’d advise caution before handing out drugs of any sort. Over The Counter drugs are still drugs. In high, or even moderate doses, they can have adverse health effects. If you do choose to hand these out, make sure they are clearly labeled and “single dose” packs, and never hand out more than one pack at any given time.
_Over The Counter Drugs
___Acid Controller Tablets (Pepcid AC)
___Antacid tabs
___Anti-Diarrheal Caplets (Imodium A-D)
___Antihistamine
___Pain Killers/Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory (Aspirin/Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen)
_Nutritional Needs
___Electrolyte Packets
___Multi-Vitamins
_Toiletries/Hygene
___Adult Diapers
___Baby Wipes
___Hand Sanitizer
___Lip Balm
___Toothbrushes & Toothpaste (travel size)
___Women’s Products
_First Aid/Other Medications
___Basic First Aid Kits (band-aids, antibacterial ointment packets, etc.)
___Cough Drops/Throat Lozenges
___Foot Anti-fungal Ointment
CLOTHING & SLEEP UTILITY
Clothes should be clean and preferably new (or well laundered). For outer clothes, the less conspicuous and the better they blend with the background in an urban environment, the better.
_Undergear
___Socks
___T-shirts
___Thermal Underwear
___Underwear
_Basic Clothes
___Belts
___Jeans (the sturdier, the better)
___Shirts
_Winter Clothing
___Boots
___Gloves
___Hooded Pullovers
___Knit Caps
___Sweaters
___Warm Coats
_Sleep Utility
___Blankets
___Sleeping Mats
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
_Containers/Transport
___Backpacks
___Plastic Bags/Garbage Bags
___Refillable Containers (Aluminum/Plastic)
_Tools
___Can Opener
___Duct Tape
___Flashlights
_Misc
___Clear Plastic Tarp
___Hand Warmers (chemical activated)
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*Cereal Packs (to be added)
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**Logan Bread (to be added)