For my birthday this year, I would love to make bags for the homeless. This is something I have wanted to do for quite sometime now (about 10 years), yet never put forth the effort or time to do so. In order to put together 96 bags (1 backpack and 1 drawstring bag per person, so enough for 48 people) with all of the things I am hoping to include, I would need to raise close to $6500 (before taxes and shipping costs), making both bags to be around $135. If you have no interest or curiosity in what will be included then scroll down until you no longer see bullet points. For those that are like me and are curious as to what exactly they will be donating towards, I will list below all that will be included in each bag (per person):

* 1 backpack

* 2 toiletry bags for every backpack:

* in the first toiletry bag: 1 toothbrush, 1 toothbrush holder, 1 tube of toothpaste, 2 of containers of dental flosses, 3 small deodorants, 1 package body/bath wipes, 1 bottle of lotion

* in the second toiletry bag: 1 nail manicure kit, 1 small hairbrush, 1 small comb, 1 can of dry shampoo

* 12 feminine wipes for the women’s backpacks

* 1 mesh shower caddy:

* 1 bottle of shampoo, 1 bottle of conditioner, 1 bottle of body wash, 1 small bottle of face wash, 1 bar of soap, 1 mesh soap bag, 1 razor, 1 can of shaving cream

* 1 package of pads and 1 package of tampons for the women’s backpacks

* 1 first aid kit bag

* 1 tube of antibiotic ointment, 1 small bottle of ibuprofen, 4 gauze pads, 8 alcohol wipes, 2 sting relief wipes, 1 thermometer, 30 bandaids (different sizes), 2 emergency thermal blankets, 2 triangular bandages, 1 elastic bandage wrap, 2 self adhesive bandage wraps, 1 small roll of medical tape, 1 pair of bandage scissors, 1 pair of first aid tweezers, 6 iodine swabs

* 1 naloxone kit bag

* 1 dose of naloxone, 2 pairs of disposable latex gloves, 1 disposable cpr face shield

* 2 disposable rain ponchos

* 1 small tube of sunscreen

* 1 small bottle of hand sanitizer

* 1 stick of chapstick

* 2 pairs of socks

* 1 reusable water bottle

* 1 mini devotional book

* 1 small Christian notebook with pen

* 1 rosary (donated by Saint Joachim and Anne Parish)

* 1 drawstring bag

* snacks

* 3 granola bars (variety), 2 ritz cracker dip snack packs, 1 Oreo snack pack, 2 chips ahoy snack packs, 2 Pringles lunch snacks

* drinks

* 1 Arizona fruit punch pouch, 1 small bottle of apple juice, 1 box of propel powder packets

I know some of these things may seem excessive or unnecessary, but a lot of these—for most of us—are everyday luxuries that we tend to take for granted. I think a lot of us—as a general term—see homeless people as lesser than, and we sometimes forget that they’re human too and are just as deserving of the same comforts that we are afforded.

I know that not all people are religious or share the same religious viewpoints as I do, and I am in no way trying to force my beliefs onto someone else by including a devotional book, Christian themed notebook and rosary. For anyone that does not seek comfort in those things, they do not have to keep them. I’m including them for those that would seek comfort in either book and/or rosary, and give people access to something that they may not have easy access to. I once saw a post that said, “You may be the only glimpse of Jesus someone sees,” and I’m trying to share the love that I’ve received in some of the best ways in which I know how. I know that “the best ways” to show love looks a little different for everyone though.

As far as the naloxone (narcan) goes: I don’t want to add to the stigma that drug addiction comes with homelessness; I know that not all homeless people are drug addicts. That being said, with how the world is going, drug addiction—unfortunately—is very prevalent. Sadly, I’m sure most of us know at least one person who has an addiction, so I have no doubt that the homeless people who are sober do too, and I’m hoping that by adding a dose of naloxone [and a cpr face shield] that a life will be saved.

For all the good that has been brought to my life, I’m hoping to put some back out there. Whether or not you are able or want to donate, thank you! As unnecessary as this may also seem, I may need help with getting vinyl stickers for the naloxone kit bags because the bags themselves are blank, and I want people to know what’s in them without needing to rummage through it. If anyone would be willing to assist me with that, I would be so incredibly grateful!

As a side note of sorts, I like to remain upfront and honest about things—generally speaking—and this time is no different: Any extra money beyond my set goal will be split up between adding some cash to the bags (even if it’s $5), keeping some cash in my glovebox to give to those that didn’t get bags, buying food or other necessities for those in need, donating to different charities, and giving back to people that have given everything to me. Some of the left over change (and I mean literal cents) may end up falling into my bank account just because not everything rounds up perfectly to a dollar, but I will try to keep track of even that as best I can. Again, thank you!