Make kindness kits at your next party! Kindness kits are kits made up of a few essentials for those in need. You can make kindness kits with your kids or let your guests make one as a parting gift before they leave your next party. They’re small enough to keep in the console of your car and are the perfect way to help someone in need.
My friend Alice and I are taking a road trip from Orange County to San Francisco with Kia, checking out their new Niro PHEV. We wanted to spread a little cheer this holiday season, so we’re assembling kindness kits to give out along our drive.
Driving around San Diego, I encounter quite a few homeless people on a daily basis. The vast majority of them are men, as is the case in most places. So I did a little research to see what would be the most helpful things to put in a kindness kit. Then I gathered them and assembled my bar cart to work as make and take kindness kit station.
I started with the obvious – socks! Warm socks to get through the winter in darker colors. It’s hard enough keeping white socks white when you have a washing machine at home. I bought socks in black and gray and opted for the more heavy duty versions knowing they’ll need to last.
To make things a little festive, I took strips of flannel fabric and used them to tie a couple of pairs of socks together. They’re loose enough for someone to remove easily without scissors and can be reused for anything.
Keeping warmth in mind, I picked up basic black knit hats and gloves. I tied a pair of gloves and a hat together in a bundle with a bit of bakers twine and added a mini bottle brush tree. While everything I chose to put in the kits was practical, I figured it couldn’t hurt to add small caring touches reflective of the season.
Next I added travel toothbrush kits. These are readily available in any big box store or pharmacy. I liked the travel cap for the toothbrush and the little pouch for these.
While doing my research, I learned that it is best not to include any items that have a form of alcohol as an ingredient. Hand sanitizer and mouthwash are items people often include, but might create problems for those battling alcohol addiction.
Instead, I moved on to travel size deodorant, tissues, and baby wipes. I think we can all agree that those are items you’re grateful to have when you suddenly find yourself in need of one.
Granola bars or crackers can be crunchy or hard to chew. Most people living on the streets don’t have access to dental care and will benefit more from softer foods and foods with more protein. I discovered beef jerky is one of the most requested foods because of its protein content and portability.
I had single serving packages of beef jerky and a few types of Larabars to include in the kits. I chose Larabars because most of them are soft rather than hard and just a handful of ingredients. Since I could only fit so much food in a portable kit I wanted to make what went in count.
Last but not least, I added some instant hand warmers. With cold nights setting in, I figured they would be appreciated. If it was the hot summer months I’d add a breathable hat, cooling towel and sunscreen in lieu of the hand warmers, gloves and beanie.
Tomorrow, we’re off to start our road trip and spread some kindness around the California coast! I’ll be sharing our adventure over on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Want to make your own kindness kits or host a kindness kit party? You can pin the image below and this post will be waiting for you when you’re ready!
