Thanksgiving Blessing Bags
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Our family established a tradition of creating Thanksgiving Blessing Bags many years ago when my children were young. It a wonderful way to create a family tradition for that lag time on Thanksgiving day.
At a glance: Thanksgiving blessing bags are care packages for people experiencing homelessness, packed in a zippered bag, cloth tote, or repurposed container. Fill them with breakfast items, snacks, or travel-size personal care items, and add a handwritten note. Making them is a meaningful family activity for the downtime on Thanksgiving Day, and even young children can help pack and decorate. Donate the finished bags to a local agency, or hand them out with an experienced church or community group.
The tradition of making care kits for the homeless at Thanksgiving started many years ago, when my brother and his family came to visit for Thanksgiving.
There were 6 children under the age of 8 in our house for 3 days. And this was in New Jersey, so the children could only play outside in the yard for so long.
One of the activities I came up with for them was to make Thanksgiving blessing bags.
I had breakfast items and granola bars. We gave each child several large zippered plastic bags. We had the children “trick or treat” from adult to adult and fill bags with items.
The children then made cards to include in each bag. The children had a wonderful time making the homeless care packages and it was a wonderful way to talk about Thanksgiving and caring for those who are less fortunate.
From that humble beginning, our family continued the tradition for many years.
We usually make the blessing bags on Thanksgiving Day during some “down” time. It’s a wonderful activity for a large family gathering when the kids are getting restless.
If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving care package to send a college student or a service member who can’t be home for the holiday, you’ll find those ideas in my College Care Package Ideas and on my Military Members, Veterans and Military Families page. This post is all about Thanksgiving care packages you can make together as a family and give to neighbors in need.
Thanksgiving Blessing Bags
Thanksgiving Homeless Care Package Ideas
Start with a large zippered plastic bag or a cloth tote bag.
- Breakfast care package
- Can of orange juice, container of oatmeal, granola bar and raisins
- Snack care package
- Dried fruit, granola bar, individual drink mix packets, individually packages cheese and crackers, mints
- Foot Care Blessing Bag
- Cold Weather Blessing Bag
- Personal Care
- Lotion, lip balm, razor, wash cloth, candy, samples of perfume and make up
It’s always helpful to include a gift card to a coffee shop or fast food restaurant. This allows people experiencing homelessness to select a hot drink or meal of their choice, get out of the weather and be able to use the restrooms.
One year we made personal care Thanksgiving blessing bags, but we used empty lunch meat containers another year (you know how I adore repurposing containers!).
I collect the containers throughout the year. Friends and family collect them for me, too. I’m always looking for ways to repurpose the containers.
At the time, many years ago, I used condiment containers to hold hand lotion from an economy sized bottled. I did that to save money so I could make more care kits. However, I recommend against that.
Instead, choose travel size personal care items. This insures the best hygiene and everyone appreciates receiving a brand new item as a gift.
Lotion is always appreciated, especially in severely cold weather.
We included soap and hand sanitizer. Small package of baby wipes is also useful.
We put each bar of soap into a snack-sized plastic bag. One reason is so that it doesn’t make the gum and candy taste like soap. And the other reason is that the person may need a way to carry the bar of soap with them after they’ve opened the package, so providing the plastic bag seems helpful.
I purchased lip balm on sale and using coupons for several months ahead of Thanksgiving. Just like with hand lotion, lip balm is greatly appreciated, in all seasons of the year.
I purchased a large bag of disposable razors. This allowed me to place one in Thanksgiving blessing bag.
We added nail clippers in each care kit. An emory board is also helpful.
Throughout the year, I collected samples and hotel-sized items. These are a great size and a nice treat.
We also added individual drink mix packets, gum and candy.
Be sure to avoid sticky candy. But this is a great opportunity to share extra Halloween candy you may have.
The items fit neatly into the plastic container. But you can use a zippered plastic bag if you prefer or if you are making a homeless care kit with more items.
We always add a note to blessing bags. It’s a kind way to let the recipient know that we care.
I cut a piece of card stock paper to fit the top of the lids. We had the children decorate the paper. Each child packed and decorated the Thanksgiving care kit that they made.
This created a beautiful collection of colorful messages from the heart.
Usually we donate the Thanksgiving blessing bags to agencies that work with the homeless.
You may also choose to deliver the blessing bags in person. If you have never worked with people experiencing homelessness, I recommend you work with an experienced agency or church group.
It can be a powerful experience for your family to hand out the homeless care packages. It will be a wonderful way for your children to see their blessing bag to its destination, match a face and name to their care kit and be able to keep that face and name in their thoughts and prayers.
Keep family and friends entertained with Thanksgiving-themed printable activities and games. This 58-page bundle includes matching cards, charades, trivia, coloring pages, I Spy activities, scavenger hunts, and more for Thanksgiving fun at home, in the classroom, or during a holiday gathering.
Check out all my charitable giving tips and ideas and my other blessing bag and homeless care package ideas.
Thanksgiving Blessing Bag FAQs
Start with a large zippered plastic bag, a cloth tote, or a repurposed container. Then choose a theme. A breakfast bag might hold a can of orange juice, a container of oatmeal, a granola bar and raisins. A snack bag might hold dried fruit, cheese and crackers, drink mix packets and mints. A personal care bag works well with travel-size lotion, lip balm, soap in its own small bag, a razor, nail clippers and a wash cloth. A gift card to a coffee shop or fast food restaurant is always helpful, and a handwritten note lets the person know someone cares.
Agencies and church groups that work with people experiencing homelessness are a good place to start. A call ahead lets you ask what they need most and when they accept donations. If you’d like to hand the bags out in person, especially for the first time, I recommend going with an experienced agency or church group.
For all my favorite purposeful acts of kindness ideas check out the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran, military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them. Learn more about Organized 31 and me.
This is absolutely wonderful! What a gift you and your family share with those less fortunate!
Fantastic!!! I might make something similar for the homeless kids at the shelter where I volunteer.
Mary, what a wonderful idea! A long, long time ago I volunteered at a homeless shelter for teens. You could tailor the care kits more specifically for the kids you’re working with. Bless you for putting your caring in action.
I love this idea, and love that you’re teaching your children to bless others! Thanks for sharing this fantastic idea this week on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! We love having you! 🙂 Have a great week! Mackenzie 🙂
What a wonderful idea! I could see a school doing this as a project, too.
What a great hands-on project to engage children in caring. Wonderful idea!
What a wonderful tradition, and it’s fabulous to get the kids involved! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
What a neat idea!! You are so thoughtful.Thanks so much for linking up at Artsy Corner! Hope to see you again this week 🙂
Wonderful idea! We will either be doing this during our Thanksgiving or Advent Countdown this year. Thanks for providing such great ideas for the contents of the kits. I know this will be a meaningful project for my daughters and me.