Snack Bags for the Homeless

Snack bags for the homeless

A friend of mine recently shared with me that for Lent instead of giving something up she wanted to give away something to others so she started putting together bags of goodies to keep in her car to pass out to the homeless.  I thought this was a fantastic idea and decided to put together my own snack bags for the homeless.  

Snack bag ideas to keep in your car and give out to the homeless

My first stop was to the dollar store to gather a few items for my bags.  I picked up juice boxes, pre-packaged snacks, gum, a pack of combs, bandanas, and mittens.  I wanted to give them more than just food so the combs, bandanas, and mittens are in hopes that they will get to be used over a longer period of time.  Since then my mom gave me a bag full of trial size lotions and a friend donated toothbrushes and toothpaste that I will be including and I also picked up a jumbo bag of socks from Walmart.  I then also threw in granola bars and apples that we already had at home.

Bible verse to hand out to the homeless

Besides blessing them with snacks, I wanted to send spiritual encouragement as well.  I printed out Matthew 6:25-34 and tucked them in each bag.

Snack bag ideas to keep in your car and give out to the homeless

And because everything has to be cute, I tied baker's twine to close up the bags.  I wonder if homeless care about such details but when I watch them carefully untie the bow I like to think that the anticipation of what is inside is just like a little kid opening up a Christmas gift.  I decided they deserved some handmade details as well.

Snack bag ideas to keep in your car and give out to the homeless

It's been just a few weeks that I have been doing this but I have already found so many people to give them out to.  I would say there are not a ton of homeless people in my immediate everyday driving around neighborhood but I have found once you start looking for them they start popping up all over the place.  I also believe that the simple act of being noticed can go a long way.  It has been a real blessing to serve others. 

7 comments

  1. LOVE ThiS!


    We have a HUGE homeless population here in Corpus Christi. For a while I joined a group of local college kids every Saturday downtown to serve the homeless breakfast and lunch. There are SO MANY homeless people that are just mentally ill. They would not be able to hold a steady job or pay bills. . .it completely changed my outlook on them!

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  2. I admire you and the inspiration this post gives to all of us.
    THANK YOU!

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  3. This has to be the nicest idea I've heard in a while. And I will use your suggestions too. Thanks for sharing such an uplifting post Ashley. You're always spreading your brand of happiness. I love my visits here.
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

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  4. Wow, this is such a nice and loving idea. I like it that you included more than just snacks.

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  5. So inspiring, Ashley! I want to do this now as well. What a blessing you are to the community around you! I used to give a gatorade or vitamin water to the same homeless man a few times a week on my way to high school with my brother. It made him light up!

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  6. This is soo amazing!!!! I found you via Sac bloggers and can you come over and style my house?! Love your blog and style!

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  7. My wife and I do this in Asheville NC Apples are not a good idea, fruit needs to be soft, most of them don't have good teeth.

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