Today we’re focusing on giving back in our month long mission to eat better, parent better, organize better and just generally live better this year.
We’ve got another Happy Family Habit for you to start working on. It’s #10 on our list and I personally think you’re gonna love this one…
You know that feeling you get when you see a situation you wish you could fix? It’s a tugging of the heart strings when we see someone we want to help, but just don’t know quite how. I live in a metropolitan area, so every time I walk down the street I’m encountering homeless people. Sometimes they ask for money and sometimes they’ll just hold a sign telling about their misfortune.
When my kids are with me, I wonder what kind of an example I’m setting in theses types of situations.
There’s part of me that knows giving money to someone that possibly has a substance abuse problem isn’t the wisest choice, but walking by without doing anything doesn’t feel good either.
Over a year ago, I decided to take action and talked to a friend of mine who was homeless at one point in his life. I asked him, what do homeless people really need? The answer surprised me…Socks.
He said it’s easy to find food. (Many shelters off at least two warm meals a day to anyone that walks in.) Money is most likely spent on alcohol and drugs. But, the homeless don’t use washers and dryers, so a clean pair of socks is a luxury item.
I started carrying socks around everywhere. I always had a pair in my purse and at least a few in the car. The kids totally bought into this. They loved handing them out and we even went to specific homeless parks last year to hand them out. You can read about it here.
After a year of handing out socks, we decided to put together a Blessing Bag. The items are easy to get and can keep forever in your purse or car. These essential items that we take for granted can lift the spirits of someone living on the street.
Of course, the specific items can be changed, but make sure that any food you use is non-perishable. And remember, food is most likely easy to find, so toiletry items are especially appreciated.
The kids were able to help me shop for the items and put together the bags. They also love to hand them out when they are with me around town. I love that they are truly invested in helping others. Together we are exercising compassion in our every day lives.
More Helpful MPMK How-Tos from this month:
- Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Principles of an Organized Playroom
- Our Top Ideas for Living Better from 2013
- 5 Step Guide to Jump Starting Your Diet in 2014
- Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Entryway Organization (3 Must-Haves from Our Professional Organizer)
- Must-Reads: 8 Books for a Better 2014
- Top 10 Meal Planning & Kitchen Organization Ideas
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Kristin