Small Acts Now

Take a look at this video tutorial for ideas on what to put in Blessing Bags.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Break all items out of their pacakging.
3. Sort items into piles to create an Assembly Line.
4. Fill biodegradeable plastic bags, recycled grocery bags, or inexpensive totes/backpacks with items.
   • Please give at least 2 bottles of water per bag.
   • If you run out of one item, that’s ok.  You can supplement with a similar item or add extras to completed bags.
   • We don’t have to have exact quantities; We just want each person to receive a decent amount of snacks and supplies.
   • If the items are for those who menstruate, please mark the bag with a ribbon or a bow in any color.
5. Deliver items to SoupMobile or keep them in your car to distribute when you see someone in need!

These are some items that can go into Blessing Bags. Please include at least 2 bottles of water per bag.

Need more ideas?  Watch this video tutorial on Blessing Bags.

Yes!  Children are exellent at making Blessing Bags.

Here’s a note from one of our volunteers:

“I have found that kids LOVE to make Blessing Bags and are extremely fast at putting them together.  First, we take everything out of the package and sort it into separate bins.  Children can open packages with supervision using scissors, or you can pre-open them and let them take each item out.  Kids are great at rolling socks and blankets, too.

 

“After everything is sorted, we tell the children how many of that item is supposed to go into a bag.  (For example, two bottles of water go in each bag but only one pair of socks.) You could also label each bin with a number for children old enough to read.  Small children also enjoy this activity but you’ll have to watch a little more closely to make sure they don’t mix up the counts of each items (i.e. four pairs of socks and only one granola bar.)

 

“Then, we give each child an empty bag and they go straight down the line, picking up the prescribed number of items from each bin and adding it to their bag. It’s almost like Easter egg hunting and they love it.  For larger groups of kids, you can divide them into teams where one group adds XYZ items and the other finishes it up and ties the bag shut.”

Drinks

• bottled water (Please include at least 2 per bag.)
• electrolyte drinks or powder
• vitamin drinks or powder 

Snacks

• granola bars
• peanut butter crackers
• pretzels
• raisins
• dried fruit
• high-protein snacks
• Lenny and Larry cookies
• MacroBars
• hummus and cracker kits
• quinoa ready meals

* No trail mix or anything with nuts, please. (Folx may be unable to chew them.)

• toilet paper / baby wipes / DUDE wipes
• hand sanitizer
• toothbrush and toothpaste sets
• chapstick (no beeswax)
• bandaids
• travel size sunscreen
• travel size soap
• travel size shampoo
• travel size conditioner
• travel size hand lotion
• hair ties
• maxi pads (heavy preferred; no tampons or other devices)

Year-Round Items

• mens size 11-13 crew socks (Please buy these because they fit everyone.)
• rain ponchos
• bandanas

Winter Only Items

• beanies or knit caps
• gloves or mittens
• thick scarves or shawls

Larger items can be donated separately to Austin Street Center.

Please don’t put huge items in Blessing Bags.  They are plastic and can break open easily.

• small rolled pillows
• small rolled fleece blankets
• small, folded emergency blankets or “space blankets”

Larger items such as blankets and sleeping mats can be donated separately.

Deliver finished Blessing Bags to SoupMobile.

• Call ahead or email them for their donation hours.  Contact SoupMobile
• SoupMobile is located at 2423 South Good Latimer Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75215

Please donate only gently used or new items.

View Austin Street’s up-to-date and current needs list here.

Bedding

• bedding and blankets (twin-size)
• pillows
• sleeping mats

Please donate only gently used or new items.

View Austin Street’s up-to-date and current needs list here.

Other

• high strength reading glasses
• hair care products for natural / textured hair
• towels
• feminine hygeine products
• disposable razors
• 60% or higher alcohol antibacterial products

Deliver items items to Austin Street Center.

• Austin Street Center accepts donations Monday-Friday, 9-5, and Saturday-Sunday, 9-3
• Austin Street Center is located at 2929 Hickory Street, Dallas 75226.

Check Plant Based Food Bank’s website for a list of items.

• You can order items online via Amazon or Walmart and ship directly to them.
• If you prefer to donate items you have found at other stores, contact them for their drop-off locations and hours.

Deliver food pantry items to Soupmobile.

• SoupMobile accepts donations Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays ONLY from 8am to 11am.
• Soupmobile is short staffed due to COVID and cannot accept deliveries outside of posted hours.
• SoupMobile is located at 2423 South Good Latimer Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75215