Care Package 3.0: Now With More Goodies!
Hot off the heels of the success of Operation Cozy Toes for the Homeless Bros, I'm back with the new and improved Care Package 3.0! I had some ideas for other good stuff I should include, and found a container the exact right size such that 10 will fit snugly into the trunk area.
Here's a look at what all I could fit into the larger containers. These hold more stuff but are a bit less convenient as I cannot carry 3 of them in my backpack, like I could with Care Package 2.0. I believe the size increase is worth it however for reasons which will become clear shortly.
Beneath the layer of hygiene products (which includes an electric toothbrush), you can see the contents are mostly the same as Care Package 2.0. I decided against including a multi-tool like I'd originally planned due to the epidemic of bike theft in Portland, but there's some other useful additions here.
This is one of them: A single 18650 power bank, with an NCR18650B inside. That's a top quality cell that will last them many years. This power bank is intended to enable them to carry some electricity with them to charge their phone with so they don't have to leave it plugged in someplace public. It should charge a modern smartphone about once.
There's an umbrella now! So they can stay dry in their bivy sack despite their head and maybe arms poking out the top. It rains a great deal in Portland and the ability to stay dry goes a long way towards staying warm, and generally diminishing the misery of exposure to the elements.
This is a satisfactory improvement on Care Package 2.0 I think. It's not a solution for homelessness, only the Housing First movement is, but I will at least have something to offer homeless people when I pass them besides money, which I am against giving out because of what it may be used for.
As there's still a bit of room left, I was thinking of picking up some USB rechargeable flashlights to tuck in there as well, but I spent my last few dollars for this week adding the hygiene products, so it may have to wait a few days. I'll also need to print out updated instructions since there's so many new items included.
I'll keep you posted about it and hope this has inspired you to do something similar.
Stay Cozy!
@alexbeyman,
Respect what you are doing dude! This is a great thing, and I wish you great of luck in your life as well!
Cheers~
Have a 100% upvote to fuel these endeavors. Good stuff, man! A+ approach.
Living in Detroit, I'm constantly bombarded with beggars anywhere I go and I take a similar approach. I can't stand the tired, repetitive phoney stories of bus fare, gas, etc. So I give them useful items or food. Or if I'm grabbing myself a drink, I'll grab them one and cut to the chase. It's a bizarre web of interactions. Coming from the mountains and then living in the inner-city is pretty interesting.
Imagine my utter surprise when one of those "I need gas" stories actually turned into someone using the cash to drive off with a partial tank.
There's a common scam here where people will hang out around gas stations in the hood holding a gas can asking for money to buy gas. It gets pretty annoying when you see the same characters doing it over the course of an entire season. Gas, always out, 24/7, always stuck, always in a hard spot. Posing away with the can in hand.
It's amazing how you help others keep on the good work
Wow that is super kind of you! You are for sure getting my upvote!
Good stuff, man! I was thinking about these kits the other day again and thought of another few items that I might toss in mine when I can actually put some together. Thinking I might put in some emergency ponchos for when it rains to help keep them dry. And, I was thinking of tossing a few little medical items in there like wet wipes, neosporin and band aids. Figured those were all useful items in case they experience any cuts or scratches, and that they wouldn't eat up too much space.
Sounds good.
Alex - it's a good idea to give homeless people this valuable items... You are a kind heart young man... God bless you...
+W+
I wonder what are the main things that homeless people need. Warm clothes, some cash to buy food and a new goal or few ideas how to change their lives and actually enjoy it. I'd probably add to that box a notebook with advices where they can find a place to rest and few possible places where they can earn some cash.
I never filled containers like that before. Except giving change time after time I've only bought once a wool hat and gloves for an old man who played the accordion on the snowy street.
I hope that people will use wisely what you give them.
I appreciate 100% of your idea of giving towards others and I respect ,every small effort matters .Go ahead buddy and the additional tools are also great will sure help them more !
I liked your version 2.0 as well. It's such a great way to help the homeless.
Here is an item you might consider since you are including the battery bank. I'm not 100% sure it would work so you would need to test it, there are quite a few different types of them as well. Or does the battery bank already have a built in light? I know some of them do.
Nope, these don't. that's a great idea for an addon.