I have been thinking about doing another mini series about something that is very close to my heart: making a difference in this world.
Each week (for a few weeks) I will be sharing some easy things we can all do to make a difference.
I am kicking this off with goodie bags.
No, they are not for halloween.
This goodies bags are very simple to make, and the content change depending on the season we are in. I hand these to homeless whenever I get a chance
(pretty much daily and more than once).
I usually have a "hot" weather bag or a "cold" weather one, but pretty much I make sure the content has a:
- drink (water, juice, chocolate drink...)
- snack (granola/ protein bar, chips,...)
- fruit (usually apples, because they don't spoil as fast, sometime oranges, bananas)
- useful item
Useful item(s) change according to the season.
During the cold months I like to add a warm hat, scarf, hand warmers, gloves...
While during the warmer months I like to add a rain poncho, a small umbrella, a sun hat.
The reason why I do this, is because I believe every person needs to feel loved.
I see so many people driving by a homeless person and not even make eye contact with them.
They are human being,
and even if you don't have anything for them, ask how they are doing, ask their name, give an encouraging word.
I personally grew up traveling a lot by train, and my dad always told me not to give money to anyone who asked for it, but he taught me to help by buying them a meal, or share something I had.
Literally take off your scarf and hand it to them.
I believe in the power of action,
and what my children are learning is just that.
Compassion is not cheap.
Amd this has nothing to do with "feeling good" about myself.
Amd this has nothing to do with "feeling good" about myself.
I buy most of the items at the $tree (hats, scarfs, gloves, poncho).
And for the food items I buy what's on sale.
It costs us about $2-3 to fill up a goodies bag, but the response we get from the person who receives it is priceless.
And you might not ever know how much that means to them, just know it does.
Ours is a local Ministry to the homeless called
Isaiah 58***
Stay Frugal,
Daniela
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice”
— Nelson Mandela
“The man who has no money is poor, but one who has nothing but money is poorer"
— Orison Swett Marden
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement”
— Woodrow T. Wilson
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like”
23 comments:
What a wonderful thing to do Daniela!
I've been seeing more and more homeless people lately and they seem to be getting younger and younger. I usually stop in McDonalds and grab them a burger and coffee. It breaks my heart to see them. Your such a good person!
Daniela, questa e veramente una bellissima idee...dal cuore! Mi piace molto, e lo faro anch' io.
Grazie ...Un abbraccio ,Mary
Daniela, you are a wonderful human being so thoughtful and caring.
Thank you for sharing your kind gestures and making me think about my responsibilities.
I think this is wonderful Daniela! You are right the worth of a soul is precious, and this is a perfect way to help them, without giving them money! I think I would like to do this with my kids. Thank you for your amazing example!
Of all your posts, I like this the best. I think i could actually do this.
This is wonderful, Daniela. It's important for kids to learn to give back, from their parents, just like you did from your dad.
This is such a generous thing to do.
Dear Dani- I knew you were a good person from the first time I visited your blog. That is such a great idea. I donate to a local shelter that hands out stuff to the homeless but your idea is an even better one. I think it would be wonderful to keep a small stockpile of those bags in the back of the car to hand out. What a wonderful idea!!!! xo Diana
I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing ! I feel that many will be receiving goody bags this season !! A wonderful habit for all of us to begin.
Friend, I am so very much looking forward to this 'series.' This is a great idea! :)
Really touching idea. I think this series is also a great idea. Kindness is something we all need to practice, everyday.
This is such a good idea. You could keep a couple in your car. I think I might have my girl scouts do this as a project. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a great post and a great idea. I usually just give a container of peanuts, because of the protein and hope they don't have a nut allergy. I can do better. Thanks for the tips.
You are such an amazing Christian woman! You really do God's work well. It breaks my heart when I see someone homeless. Lately, I've noticed some entire families sitting in the parking lot outside of Walmart with a sign saying, Family in Need. It's very painful to see! I used to think most homeless were old men that were drunk and mentally ill living in the city, but now it's happening with entire families in the suburbs!
Daniela, What a beautiful thing to do! I love how compassionate you are towards the poor. You are right is is our right to help out and to be more christian like I only hope I can be more like you.
Abrazos amigita linda!
Your kindness will be remembered by those you touch and they in turn will pay it forward if they are ever in a position to do so. I learned my lesson about giving money to the homeless when I found not all were homeless. I used to carry bottles of water with me to hand out to those in Arizona during the extreme heat of the summer and often drop off gloves, hats, and blankets to the shelters when I have too many or find them at the thrift shop.
The homeless are increasing daily and it's up to the individual to help them as those in power will not. Thanks for reminding us of this especially now before the holidays are coming along with the cold weather.
I absolutely love this idea, and am definitely going to copy it! I'm going out tomorrow to buy supplies to make up a few bags!
Here in Italy a lot of people come to our door selling stuff or we see them on the streets; see my post Unexpected Guests at Simple Living ABC's if you're interested.
This is a great way to meet them with "love in our hands"! And I am soooo excited to put it into action! Thank you!
What a neat idea! I like to give homeless people a seltzer, if I happen to have one in my car (I often see them on the way back from grocery shopping, so I usually do have one!).
Bethany
http://myjourneytoithaca.wordpress.com
What a wonderful way to spread love. :-)
Such a very lovely act. Thanks for the inspiration and the idea. Many will learn from this especially now that the season of giving is coming.
I posted about this at Simple Living ABC's, giving you full credit for this great idea! Because I did not want to steal your idea (I wasn't smart enough to come up with it), but because I'd like to see more people start doing things like this! You can see the post here:
http://simplelivingabcs.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/goodie-bags-are-more-than-just-treats/
If you'd rather I didn't keep the post about YOUR idea up, just let me know and I will promptly remove it. Thanks.
I was directed to your post by Living Simply Free. I love this idea. I am starting a new website and would love to put a link to this post. My new site is about the little things we can do and I want to write about good ideas like yours. Please let me know if it is O.K. Sue
Thanks Daniela,
For your OK on the link I gave you, and posting about these fabulous bags, even though I forgot to ask you before doing it! As I said, I'm still learning! Have a great day!
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