Part I.
Part II.
Part III.
If you do a lot of traveling, you probably have a collection of travel-sized toiletry items. Roommate and I started collectinging sample-sized toiletries from hotels and freebie sites once the the airlines banned liquids. When the box started overflowing (we both decided it was easier to simply check one liquid bag and carry on clothing), I tried to find a good use for these items. Food pantries were one idea, but figured that these folks had more of a need for full-size items.
Because the homeless lug around all their worldly possessions throughout the day, I reasoned that giving full-size containers probably was not the best idea. For the homeless I see regularly on bridges and at intersections, I hand out bags with soap, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, and the like, along with some snacks. For those that I do not see on such a frequent basis, Roommate and I make larger kits of a fleece blanket, fleece socks, high-calories non-perishables like protein bars, and a hat, scarf, jacket, or shoes if needed. In the summer, we swap the fleece for a baseball hat and sunscreen.
If this sounds like something you might like to do, here are some tips:
1. I hand out most the these kits from my car. Many intersections I drive through on the weekdays have a homeless person seeking donations. I try to keep the front passenger seat stocked with enough kits for the week.
2. The travel-sized toiletries in drug stores are usually exorbitantly priced! Unless there is a great deal on them, you are better off sticking to hotel and free samples.
3. If you can find a single-use packet of laundry detergent, include that as well.
4. Unless it is specifically labeled as alcohol-free, do not give mouthwash. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and some gum are fine. For the same reason, do not give hand sanitizer. Baby wipes will do.
5. Consider tucking in extra lotion in the winter.
6. Because many homeless people I encounter are not in the best mental health, I am uncomfortable giving those small packets of 2-4 doses of pain relievers. Taking 4 doses of Advil at once is not lethal, but can cause some seriously unpleasant side effects. A better use of these sample-sized OTC medications is to carry in your purse, stash in your car, or simply give to a food pantry.
How to get free or almost-free items:
1. Hotels.
2. Freebie web sites. These freebies also come with great coupons, too. I spent about ten minutes once a week requesting freebies using an automatic form-filler from Firefox. There are thousands of freebie sites out there. I visit Wal-Mart, Shop 4 Freebies, Complimentary Crap, and Arlana. Open a new, free email account (Yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc.) so your personal account is not deluged. Only request items you know you can use or otherwise put to good use.
3. Flea markets often have brand-new blankets, socks, and other items for a very low cost. And try haggling with a department store! Wash these items before giving.
4. Grocery stores can be a veritable gold mine on Saturday mornings. At my local store, every aisle has at least one free item plus a great coupon. When I mentioned my kits to the cashier last week, he dumped a whole bin of toothpaste into my bag!
5. Occasionally check eBay. Some people will hoard up dozens of sample-sized items and sell for only a few dollars.
6. Don't be afraid to recruit friends who travel a lot. This is not Arbonne or Tupperware. They will be happy to help.
7. Get in the habit of purchasing toiletries that come with a free sample-sized item.
8. With your new email account, sign up for the promotional newsletters from different brands. Some brands will send you free samples or email you coupons for free items a few times a year just for signing up.
9. Around the winter holidays, most people are feeling particularly generous and charitable. I posted a request for free toiletries under the "wanted" section on Craigslist. I recently had a lovely woman give me about 200 hotel items! *** Use common sense and be safe when using Craigslist. I only meet in a heavily traveled public place, like a grocery store parking lot. I bring Jack along for the ride, too - because he is so big and broad-chested and toothy, he looks rather intimidating. If you don't have a Jack, bring along a friend or family member. ***
***
Tip/trick/lesson of the day: If you carry a quilted cotton or cloth handbag, Scotchguard it. You'll prolong the life of your handbags for a few dollars. While you're at it, consider doing the same to light-colored coats, being sure to check the fabric and do a test run on an inconspicuous area on the inner and unlined portion of the coat. I never did understand why white wool coats have been recently in vogue! As with cashmere socks, I'm certain the impracticality outweighs the fashion and softness appeal, respectively. Either that, or I'm just messy.
Also, free box of XyliMelts. I've never tried these as I don't suffer from dry mouth and, indeed, know nothing about products geared toward relieving dry mouth, but thought I would pass it on.
No comments:
Post a Comment