Deciding What to Donate: Hygiene Kits, Skills, Platelets and More

If helping those in need has been on your mind for a while, today might be the day we give you the little push you need to start. Maybe you feel like there are so many people needing help that you don’t know where to begin, or perhaps you’ve been wondering how best to help them.

As a leading provider of hygiene kits for the homeless and others in need, and collaborators with the National Health Care for Homeless Council and National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, we are no stranger to the world of charity.

So, let’s take a look at the types of organizations you might find in your neighborhood, the people in need and what you can easily do to lend a hand.

TYPES OF ORGANISATIONS THAT HELP THOSE IN NEED

This list is by no means exhaustive but gives a general overview of organizations that could exist locally, that you might not even have been aware of.

Religious organizations

These are church-based community missions and outreach programs.

Homeless shelters, women’s shelters & crisis centers

These can offer a range of shelter, food, safety, court advocacy and mental health counselling services.

Health services

You find these range from away from home care for people living with childhood cancer, to help for AIDS patients and transplant recipients.

Children’s centers

These include adoption centers, foster care centers and grief camps.

Local food banks

Food banks may distribute goods directly to members of the community or through partnerships with other organizations.

Veteran assistance centers

Facilities like these can provide housing and veteran-specific supportive services.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THESE ORGANIZATIONS

Donate your time

You can volunteer in person in many ways, from serving food at a soup kitchen to teaching a skill at a low-income community center. Or, try taking part in outreach programs that raise awareness and drum up support within your community.

Something you may not have considered is to use your existing skill set to benefit a charity organization. For example, as a graphic designer or copywriter, you could assist them in their promotional efforts for increased donations or assistance. Check out Catchafire for helping to match your skills to a project.

Donate your money

If you can give money to a reputable organization, you are giving them the opportunity to fulfil the greatest needs of those they are helping. With your kind donation, they can buy personal hygiene products, food, blankets, counselling services and much more.

Donate goods

Both second-hand and new items are helpful to those in need. Second-hand items should be in good condition (not broken, torn or stained) and can include things like:

• Clothes
• Furniture
• Blankets
• Computers
• Books
• Toys
• Bicycles
• Old cellphones
• Sturdy bags

Of course, some goods must be donated in new condition, such as:

• Food
• Toilet paper
• Nappies
• Underwear
• Socks
• School supplies
• Feminine hygiene products

It’s often the smaller, most essential items that are most in need. Toilet paper is one of those. But so are small bottles of personal hygiene products, dental hygiene products and first aid items.

Instead of buying individual items, which can make the sorting process more labor intensive for charity teams, why not donate hygiene kits that include a collection of essential products within a handy transparent zip-top bag or zippered pouch. For example, the Quick N Fresh hygiene kits for Men and Women are the perfect all-around hygiene solution for general cleanliness and dental health.

Personal hygiene is an important part of overall wellbeing. It plays a role in maintaining good health, but also self-confidence which is critical for daily life.

Donate blood, platelets & bone barrow

This method of donating can’t be replaced by money, which makes it all the more important. Your donations can help chemotherapy patients, organ-transplant recipients, those undergoing operations and many more.

WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN A COMMUNITY CAUSE

Of course, we promote getting involved for altruistic reasons, but did you know that you will see some benefits in your own life too? Volunteering has been shown to improve a person’s:

• Quality of life
• Sense of purpose
• Sense of belonging
• Perspective on priorities
• Social wellbeing
• Overall personal happiness

Want to know more about the benefits of donating hygiene kits to the homeless and others in need? Read more in this blog post or take a closer look at our hygiene kits here.