Homeless Outreach Bags

If you are looking for a way to provide immediate assistance to a person experiencing homelessness, the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness encourages you to consider giving a homeless outreach bag. 

Why provide a homeless outreach bag rather than just giving direct cash? A person may be experiencing homelessness for a number of different reasons, but addiction is one of the commonly cited contributing factors. By providing nonperishable items rather than cash, you can help meet someone's immediate need without feeding their addiction. 

While Hygiene Kits are typically packaged in gallon size plastic zipper bags, due to the scope of the event, we would like to be able to assemble the kits into larger “tote” bags.  For example, the reusable grocery bags issued by supermarkets would be of an ideal size if we can get them donated.

Our Goal is to create 500 Bags.

Please bring your donations to the Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St., from Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 to Monday, Jan. 23 2023. 

Suggested items for creating a Homeless Outreach Bag:

Individual Sized and/or Individually Wrapped Items

  • Bottled Water
  • Snack Crackers
  • Dried Fruit (Raisins)
  • Granola Bars / Breakfast Bars
  • Nuts
  • Pull Top Canned Food
  • Juice
  • Fruit cups
  • Beef Jerky
  • Cereal
  • Trail Mix

Miscellaneous and Hygiene Items

  • New Socks
  • Bath Towels
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Bar Soap
  • Toothbrushes
  • Hairbrushes / Combs
  • Small Laundry Detergent
  • Razors
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Orajel
  • Wet Wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Deodorant
  • Band-Aids
  • Lip protection (Chap Stick)
  • Tissues
  • Plastic forks and spoons for food items
  • Longview Transit Route Maps
  • Mini Flashlights

Specialty Items (to be distributed as needed basis)

Women
Tampons    
Sanitary Pads                            

Babies 
Diapers (various sizes)          
Baby Wipes
Formula

Pets
Dog and Cat Food
Dishes
Collars (all sizes)
Leashes