My kids are always watching me. Really. Sometimes I wake up with a start in the middle of the night, and my daughter is standing next to my bed in the dark, willing me awake. They watch me react – or not react – to all kinds of situations. I aspire to be a good role model. I also want to invite them to think about how we can live according to our values and engage in tikkun olam, being God’s partners in repairing our broken world.
My contributions are $100, a little research and some printer paper.* The number one recommendation is to donate socks, but wool socks would break our budget and cotton would be of little use in the winter, so we’ve chosen other items, instead.
We go to the dollar store with our list, and my kids work together to select items for the bags while staying within their budget. It stretches their thinking and cooperation while giving them a chance to practice their math skills. The contents vary slightly year to year, but usually include the following:
- Plastic zip top bag: 24-count
- Personal care products: small tissue packs, a couple cough drops, a toothbrush and toothpaste kit, lip balm, a packet of analgesics, and a couple small bandages. We also prepare small packs of feminine hygiene products to add when appropriate
- Shelf-stable food: a protein, a fruit or vegetable, carbohydrate, something crunchy and salty, and a sugar-free peppermint
- Printed items: a coupon for a free hot meal at a local shelter, a list of local shelters and food pantries, and the address and phone number of a local agency that connects people with social service organizations
- *Seasonal items: I also contribute one flat of small bottled waters to add in the summer and a box of hand warmer packets to add in the winter.
I no longer need to prompt my kids to notice people in need. They announce when we need to stop and roll down the window to hand out a blessing bag, and when we run out, they want to make more. It has become part of our Thanksgiving tradition to make them with our guests, but any time of year is the right time to share our blessings with others.
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