Wondering what you can do during the holiday season to support your local homeless shelter? This post features a list of more than 100 items you can donate to make a real difference in someone’s life.
As we’re all listening to Christmas music
Related: 5 Step Guide to Surviving a Layoff
We all could be just one paycheck away from that. There was a time when I was overwhelmed by my monthly expenses because childcare cost more than what we paid to live in a three bedroom home on 1-1/2 acres of land.
I said enough is enough and did what I said I would never do – I moved back to my hometown, where I had the support of my family and started over. For about a year and a half, I lived with my grandmother, worked two jobs, and slowly got back on my feet. Finally, we moved into our own place and I slowly adjusted to my new normal.
But, what if I didn’t have a soft place to land? This time of year, especially, as my children make Christmas lists and I am fortunate enough to be able to grant their wishes, I think of others.
Related: 4 Rewarding Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer
Wondering what you can do during the holiday season to support your local homeless shelter? This post features a list of more than 100 items you can donate to make a real difference in someone’s life.
Gift Ideas for Children Living in Homeless Shelters
Games & Toys:
- Board games
(like Uno
, Sorry!
, Skip-Bo
card game, Apples to Apples
, Chutes and Ladders
, Guess Who
, Trouble
)
- Dress up clothes
and accessories
- Video games
- Jump ropes
- Pillow Pets
- Legos
Crafts & Activities:
- Journals
- Pens
in multiple colors
- Paint
and paint brushes
Health & Personal Care:
Gift cards ($10 and $20 increments):
Clothing (all sizes from newborns to teens):
/
/
Media:
- Young adult/teen novels
(Examples: Maze Runner
, Divergent
, etc.)
- Movies
(dvds) for kids
Related: 5 Ways to Find the Perfect Gift
Gift Ideas for Adults Living in Homeless Shelters
Household:
- Pop up hampers
- Flashlights
- Umbrellas
- Doormats
- Lap size quilts
/throw blankets
- Placemats
/napkin sets
- Scented candles
- Calendars
Clothing:
- Pajama sets
/sweats
(all sizes)
- Slippers
- Underwear
(men’s
and women’s
/all sizes)
- Warm gloves
and hats
- Socks
(men’s and women’s/all sizes)
- Plain t-shirts
for tie-dying & bright colored dyes
Health & Beauty:
- Nail care kits
(clippers
, files
, polish
, etc.)
- Chap-stick
- Jewelry
- Makeup
- Lotion for sensitive skin
- Face washes
and moisturizers
- Hair brushes
- Hair accessories
- Stress balls
Sanitary supplies
Crafts & Activities:
- 1000 piece puzzles
- Craft paints (acrylic)
and brushes
- Craft canvases
- Notepads
/journals
(purse sized)
- Writing pens
- Adult coloring books
(like Mandala
)
Gift Cards:
or 
Food:
General Items Always Needed (But Often Forgotten) at Homeless Shelters
- Deodorant
- Regular Size Soaps
- Single Use Shampoos
& Conditioners
- Underwear
in a Range of Sizes (for men and women: need both larger and smaller sizes)
- Varied Sized Bras
(don’t forget larger sizes
, too)
- Full Length and Short Length Socks
- Industrial Size Body Wash
- Wash Cloths
- Towels
- Razors
(men’s
and women’s
)
- Shower Shoes
- Pull-ups
- Baby Wipes
- Diapers
(size 3
, size 4
, & size 5
)
Wait. Pull-ups? Baby Wipes? 
I wondered what I could do to help. I’ve partnered with Huggies
diapers.
By the way, I love the benefits of being a Sam’s Club member:
- Free shipping on Diapers/Wipes. No need to shop in store. Have your order shipped right to your front door.
- Club Pick up. If you’d rather pick up your order, instead of waiting for delivery, order online and pick up in store. No waiting!
- Save time with subscriptions. Subscribe today and get your mus-haves shipped on a regular schedule of your choice.
Second, I donated the box of Huggies® Little Movers
5 Tips for Assembling the Perfect Diaper Bag
What are you diaper bag essentials? Pack the must-needed items you would make sure to include in your diaper bag for a busy mom on the go!
This great gift idea would include:
and 
What I Love About Huggies® Little Movers
• Shaped for fit and flexibility
• Available in sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6
• DryTouch® liner** absorbs on contact
• Double Grip Strips for a comfy fit that lasts
• Leak Lock Protection for up to 12 hours of protection
• SnugFit* waistband
• Features New Huggies® Brand Moving Baby System*
Only Huggies® diapers have a stretchy SnugFit Waistband to help our diapers stay in place like no other diaper. The unique contoured shape provides a comfortable fit and stays in place as babies move and play.
Now even more absorbent with new and improved LEAK LOCK®—the protection and security you both need between changes.
DryTouch® liner
Part of the new Moving Baby System*, the new DryTouch® liner absorbs on contact, so your baby stays dry throughout all of their little adventures.
Learn more about Huggies Little Movers diapers HERE.
Learn more about a Sam’s Club Membership HERE.
What would you add to this list of more than 100 items you can donate to make a real difference in someone’s life?
I am glad that you mention that there are a lot of items that homeless shelters need. With how simple some of these donations can be we can really volunteer to help. I think it would be really nice to help someone out who is in dire need of it. I really like that you mentioned diapers because that isn’t something I would have thought to be important but a lot of homeless shelters have children as well. That would really help them out.
I think it’s awful that people have to live in homeless shelters. I wish there was more I could do to help the people there, but this is a great list of things to give. This year, everyone in my family is going to donate at least one item to a homeless shelter. Thanks for the wonderful ideas!
Thank you, thank you, for this list! I would just add that things such as socks, bras, underwear, and slippers should be new. Everything else can be gently used, but please don’t use shelters as dumping grounds for crap. Thank you for reminding us that people in shelters also need art and play in their lives, not just blankets and food.
Don’t forget women’s sanitary supplies. Homeless women often don’t have extra money for tampons, menstrual cups, panty liners or sanitary napkins.