Colorado is experiencing a surge in homeless people, many of whom are also struggling with mental illness and addiction. To help them get by another day — especially as cold weather approaches — we have teamed with Denver-based communications consulting firm Media Salad to distribute “Bags of Hope.”
Our outreach is a win for so many people. Media Salad is funding the costs of each bag. Children in Denver are packing them. Gilmore Construction, which works on several job sites, has the trucks and staff to distribute them throughout the state.
Here’s this year’s packing list. We hope it will inspire you to build Bags of Hope. If you have ideas about what else our team could include, please share them with us.
For men:
White undershirt, size large
1 pair black socks
1 pair white athletic socks
For women:
1 pair black socks
1 soft, knit scarf (not long, covers only head or neck)
1 travel box of three tampons
A half dozen bobby pins
A half dozen coated ponytail holders
For everyone:
Travel-size shampoo, Vaseline, toothpaste, lotion and Kleenex
Toothbrush
6-8 flossers
1 package of Wet Wipes
1 washcloth
1 packet of dry soup mix
1-2 packets of individual Lemonade powder
1 box of Craisins or raisins
1 plastic cup of orange slices
1 small bag of nuts (for protein)
1 small bag of beef jerky (ditto)
1-2 sheets of Band-Aids
Hand and foot warmers
Chapstick
Breath mints
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Plastic comb