Strategies

  • Buy items cheaply from grocery stores and restaurants

  • Buy in bulk from discount grocery stores and build care packages

  • Ask employer if they are willing to match donations

  • Buy entertainment products at discount prices

  • Maximize the utilization of clothing that is given away

  • Prepare for giving encounters

Strategy: Buy items cheaply from grocery stores and restaurants

Both grocery stores and restaurants frequently offer significant discounts on non-fresh items, even when these products retain substantial shelf life. This practice enables businesses to manage inventory turnover efficiently while providing customers with cost-effective options for quality goods

Buying these good at these discount prices makes it easier to aid the poor with higher quality items

Specific Tactics

  • Grocery stores (e.g., Mariano’s) sell non-fresh baked goods at steep discounts a few days in advance of the sell date. A dozen donuts can often times be purchased for ~$3.50

    Grocery stores also often have great deals on warm and nutritious meals if bought in pairs (e.g., Mariano’s has a 2 for $12 deal on their rotisserie chickens everyday)

    In order to take advantage of these deals, it is necessary to register for a customer rewards card

  • Discount or private-label brands offer the opportunity to buy items for the homeless in higher quantities. Examples of such brands include Kirkland Signature (Costco), Market Pantry (Target), 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods), Great Value (Walmart), Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club)

  • Before closing, many restaurants sell their leftover food at steep discounts in order to reduce food waste.

    A great app that connects these restaurants with customers is Too Good to Go

Strategy: Buy in bulk from discount grocery stores and build care packages

Purchasing from discount supermarkets like Costco and Sam's Club, as well as dollar stores, offers a convenient and cost-effective way to acquire items in bulk at affordable prices.

This accessibility to high volumes of goods enables individuals to assemble care packages for the homeless more efficiently, providing essential supplies and necessities to those in need within their communities.

Specific Tactics

  • Warehouse clubs like Cosco and Sam’s Club make it easier to purchase high quantities of items for the poor because they sell products at near-wholesale prices

    Please click here to see how to build a care package

  • Dollar stores allow for the mass purchasing of essential items at or near $1 per item

Strategy / Tactic: Ask employers if they are willing to match donations

Numerous employers have implemented policies that offer to match or partially match their employees' charitable donations upon request.

This practice not only encourages philanthropic giving among staff members but also amplifies the impact of charitable contributions, effectively doubling or increasing the value of donations to support meaningful causes.

Strategy: Buy entertainment products at discount prices

Certain entertainment products, including books and toys, can be acquired at discounted rates by individuals seeking to donate these items to those in need.

Through online platforms offering reduced prices and secondhand options, donors can procure these essentials at lower costs, facilitating greater accessibility for recipients facing financial constraints.

Specific Tactics

  • People have the opportunity to purchase used books for just a few dollars from vendors like ThriftBooks, allowing them to gift these items to the homeless.

    This initiative benefits the homeless population by providing access to literature that can offer entertainment, solace, and even educational opportunities, promoting mental stimulation and personal growth amidst challenging circumstances.

  • Purchasing toys for just a few dollars from vendors like Book Outlet and Faire offers a unique opportunity to provide joy and comfort to young homeless individuals.

    This gesture not only brings moments of happiness and playfulness but also promotes emotional well-being and a sense of normalcy, allowing children to experience moments of joy in the midst of their hardships

Strategy: Maximize the utilization of clothing that is given away

There are various economical and efficient methods for directly giving clothing to homeless individuals, ensuring they receive essential items while making the most of available resources.

This strategy is particularly important during the cold winter months

Specific Tactics

  • We often find ourselves with clothes lingering in our closets untouched for over six months. Instead of letting them gather dust, these garments could serve a far greater purpose in the hands of those in need.

    By donating these unused items to the less fortunate, we not only declutter our own spaces, but also provide essential clothing to individuals who truly require it, fostering a sense of community and compassion.

  • If resources are scarce for you and the number of people you are observing who are in need is high, then there are ways to still provide clothing for them.

    An example of this is purchasing socks and then giving them away for the purpose of wearing them as gloves. While socks are not as ideal as gloves, it is better than nothing in case one is truly limited.

    Another useful tactic includes purchasing polar fleece yardage and then cutting it into individual carves. This process takes only 10 minutes or less

Strategy: Be prepared for the situations in which you may be in a position to help.

The following places are great places to keep items / care packages / resource sheets in the event that you encounter someone in need of assistance.

Car

Gym Bag

Work Bag

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