Remember the Nimby's. Well despite them I am still helping as much as I can but with the financial changes coming I figured I'd better figure out what services I want to provide if I can.
First stage is simple and costs me around $75 per week which includes water, juice crystals, Ritz cracker individual packs with cheese or peanut butter and individual snack packs of cookies. This is what I do right now.
Right now I also have smokes(tobacco), lighters, bandages and some other very basic first aid supplies, pens and paper. The tobacco will be gone soon and I'm not sure if I will be replacing it which means I don't need the cones either unless I decide to get another bag. Tobacco is quite expensive and I have to make a special trip to a store downtown to get it but it is something they appreciate. They appreciate the lighters more so though, enough that they don't mind paying for them. I tell them pay what you can and I get lots of quarters, dimes and nickels which come in very handy.
I don't want to charge them, they are on the street or on drugs for their own reasons and it is not my goal to make them pay for any of the help I give them. That said every bit helps and other than E I have no support from any agency, service or others except the outsiders themselves.
That said if I buy tobacco and the makings for smokes it will be a bit expensive so they will be pay what you can like the lighters. This is one idea I'm kicking around.
I am also looking for a basic first aid kit that I can hand out as well as bandaids and some sort of antiseptic for scratches and such. Blister care is another area I'm looking at as that seems to be something I would think people who are on their feet all day might appreciate.
Socks and personal care items like toothbrushes, combs and such are another area I'm considering. I am absolutely certain that sanitary napkins would also be welcome and maybe underwear for the ladies. Small dry shampoo and small packs of personal wipes would also be helpful.
On top of that I am considering adding hot chocolate, tea or coffee as they might be welcome in the cold weather. I have a Kuerig so I can use pods or get the sticks of all in one instant tea and coffee.
All of this costs money and until I know what my income will be they are only ideas. I have talked to a couple of outsiders about them bringing a case of water to help me out. In exchange they would get all services for free for a month. That would be so helpful to them and to me.
Services:
- basic personal care items (comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, dry shampoo, personal wipes)
- water w juice crystals
- basic first aid (bandaids, antiseptic)
- basic foot care (socks, foot powder, blister care)
- healthy snacks ( or as healthy as I can get)
- paper & pens
- smokes?
- lighters?
- hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate)
- warm, healthy food (not sure I want to do this one but it is a need)
Ambitious I know and wholly dependant on my financial situation, though I suppose I could open myself to donations. This is personal, not a business, I don't want to help to make money I just want to help.
Comments suggestions welcome. Cheap suppliers info would be greatly appreciated.
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