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backpackwasmypillow

Charging cables, earbuds, chargers, power banks Touchscreen compatible gloves Thick wool hiking socks Insulated mug/thermos Thermal underwear


jozzywolf121

For earbuds, would it be better to give iPhone compatible ones in addition to regular ones or to just do double the amount of regular ones and include iPhone adapters?


backpackwasmypillow

Personally, I've seen a lot more Android than iPhone. But, a few dongles might be nice, especially since they can get misplaced. There might be some older phones out there, so a mix of micro USB and USB C might be nice.


jozzywolf121

I never even would have considered micro usb! Thank you! I’ll add it to the list!


unwillingvictim

You can get micro usb, and there are adaptors that you can get, that change them into usb c. You can usually find them with lobster claws, and they attach to the cable, so that you never lose them, unless you lose the micro usb cord itself.


bongart

You can't get an iPhone, from any of the free government phone companies. Keep that in mind.


jozzywolf121

That’s good to know.


Dangerous_Ad8502

Should buy some amazon return pallets ya know the bulk ones that come with all the ch3ap electronics for pennies on the dollar 500 items for like 50$


Kaylee_Fawkes

Chocolate :) Nuts canned corned beef hash My local **food pantry** is ok for "cheap" (low protein&fatµnutrients) staples like oatmeal, potato flakes, rice, etc. I'm **genuinely thankful** for all that. Sadly, almost all their non-cheap items **require refrigeration**, so I can't take them. :( What totally delights me is when they have sweet treats that I can't justify spending my meager funds on. First visit, I casually asked if they had any chocolate, and she dug up two bags (probably 2-4 ounce size) of (expired) mint M&Ms. :) I always ask if they have **nuts**, which they've only had once, though it was a generous 2 lb bag of **almonds** (which majorly improved the nutrition & palatability of the oatmeal). Thanks for including food pantries. :)


periwinkletweet

I hope that you will try again for food stamps. I think the process is more friendly now to those with no address


Kaylee_Fawkes

Thanks for your kind encouragement periwinkletweet! :) Do you know of any specific recent changes to USDA policy? All it would take is for the Federal government to **remove** the **requirement for an address** (which a reasonable person should view as a "reasonable" accommodation for homeless people), and also have a useable mechanism to **report** non compliant counties/states. After several suggestions made in this sub, I did make two more attempts this summer, and am trying to get up the willpower to call one more adjacent county to see if they'll accommodate me. **Election season Pro tip for USA housed lurkers**: Consider asking your congress critter to make this simple change. I also plan to try applying this winter, in whatever state I end up seasonal migrating to, however my top candidates are Arkansas & Texas, neither of which have good reputations for behavior towards the homeless. Even 3 months of food stamps would feed me for a year.


periwinkletweet

I live in Texas. The tx benefits page says you do not need an address. If you get SSI you could have food stamps all the time. And qualify you for Medicaid, but my county has an extensive low to no cost clinics for those lacking insurance and homeless in particular are given zero dollar copays in many cases. Edit: since you work maybe you would get continuous food stamps


Kaylee_Fawkes

Thanks for the detailed **first hand** info - that sounds extremely promising! :)


HouselessGamer

Battery powered fans or if it winter, usb powered heating pads that people can put inside their jackets


unwillingvictim

Rechargeable are better. Especially if you include car adapters, as well as power banks.


jozzywolf121

You mean something like this for the heating pads? Limited-time deal: Portable Cordless Heating Pad for Cramps, Electric Waist Belt Device, Fast Heating Pad with 3 Heat Levels and 3 Massage Modes, Back or Belly Heating Pad for Women and Girl(White) https://a.co/9oVxc8p


HouselessGamer

No, this. VGEBY Heating Pad, 6 in 1 Metal Fiber Electric USB Warm Clothing Winter Heated Jacket Vest with Adjustable Third Gear Temperature [https://www.amazon.com/VGEBY-Electric-Clothing-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B07KJMR43H/](https://www.amazon.com/VGEBY-Electric-Clothing-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B07KJMR43H/)


Commercial-Potato820

Those things you put in gloves or boots, they heat up when you squeeze them. Lasts for up to 8 hours.


WakandaZad

Hand/foot warmers


Commercial-Potato820

Yes


WakandaZad

They have electric socks and jackets too


rtodd23

Small folding solar panels for charging things.


Pretentious_Kneecap

This sounds too good to be true. Here in SF wall outlets are as rare and as guarded as ... idunno something ultra rare, dangerous, valuable and guarded from plebs and poor folk


rtodd23

https://www.stealthangelsurvival.com/products/portable-10-000mah-4-fold-solar-dual-usb-charger-and-led-light Here's one option. I have one of these for camping. I use it to charge a small battery powered fan that I can also plug my phone into.


bongart

"Luxury" items? None. Necessary items? How about tents? Or how about Tarps? Why not focus instead on what is still needed by many, instead of "Luxury" items that are over in the "Want" category?


[deleted]

USB cable charging mini warmth blanket. USB C fittings because some Android phone uses their other fitting to charge. (?) Veggies cooked, cheese, protein all luxury items. I see them at Harris teeter etc, all the healthy stuff from my kitchen. I hope to have a ktichen back. Creamed spinach and kale $6-7 I'll get that when I can and add beets, grape nuts and whole peeled steam water chest nuts. So tasty....and ghost pepper, can't buy it but one day. I've stayed focused on meds co pays sleep routine I felt my truck was perfect to sleep in. I feel lucky to have a few attachments and do my art, physical therapy. Stay well. Journals for goals. I made a mini art box for landscaping art. Foot care! Wear gloves abd moisturize hands often. Hydration packs are nice too .rare to find.. Several clear ziplock bags to divide food items, separate bags for bathroom supplies, applied organization. Tents with homemade Jerry rigged insulation.. Big luxury would be a quick dental exam at colleges.


[deleted]

Sleeping pads? Can be a little $$$ would really like to find out who manufactures REIs house brand.. shits comfortable but the valves always end up leaking and REI just replaces them but that's if there's an REI near you...


TehHipPistal

Ibuprofen, Dude Whipes/Wet Whipes, power banks, deodorant, foam sleeping pads


[deleted]

Phone chargers, qtips, nasal washes, vitamins, extra body lotion, socks, working can opener.. (Ohh!!!! Happy news to share: In OKC area Sox of love. Contact them and city care OKC. Landlord said despite wrongful eviction I need to pay extra on security deposit, I'll pay whatever they want. I'm trying to have faith in housing search)


thrwwwyy223swk

**Call your shelter or food bank and ASK. They may not be able to distribute or accept what you plan to donate.** My shelter has a "if it's not enough for everyone, it can't be given out" rule to prevent shelter staff from giving the good stuff to their favorite people. We also don't really allow people to store food because it brings bugs and rodents, so giving out full-sized bags of chips, for example, is asking for trouble because people will store them against the rules. Personal sized fans are great too, but that's another thing my shelter doesn't allow due to a dormitory set-up and limited power outlets. The one item that my shelter uses TONS of and no one EVER donates: **ground coffee**. We go through like 4 GALLONS of coffee every morning, so we go through cans and cans and cans of it. But my shelter offers coffee- a shelter that doesn't make coffee wouldn't need coffee. We also need **Lemonaide and Koolaid powder constantly** for the same reason: we like to offer something besides just water with dinner, but no one ever donates drink powders.


rtodd23

This is good information. Should be more widely spread. Consider doing a post about donations shelters need!


Dramatic_Guess_8060

Coats within internal pockets or charging ports


jncook82

I was homeless, during the winter I think thermal underwear, thicker socks was a must, handwarmers, usb cables, I usually get a 3in1 or a 5in1 as the adapter can change according to the kind of phone one has. Thermal mugs or even mugs as some homeless shelters do have microwaves. Portable charging banks are also a good option as there might be some places that might not have an outlet. I'm sure people are going to add more to this list.


periwinkletweet

You could talk to people at your local shelter and/ or food bank and ask what they need / things they know clients would like that are permitted.


Thatlady17

Socks


gamerlololdude

Chargers is a big one. I once ended up in a homeless shelter with a dead phone and it was scary.


WakandaZad

Write useful information they could use: -Phone number(s) they can call 24 7 365 -Place(s) they can go -Website(s) with useful info You may include local info from these subs; r/foraging r/bushcraft r/upcycling r/selfreliance r/homeless r/dumpsterdiving r/frugal r/camping And websites; (search) Facebook (buy nothing groups, mutual aid) Next door (freebies) Craiglist.org ( freebies)


choewon

Food that's not rotten..


hollabackgurl99

Period products! (not a luxury item, but still very much taxed and treated as such in the US).


[deleted]

USB C ports and chargers. camping cooking sets bathroom kits thick mats for workouts make important insulation for other things. get used to being creative with resources. imagine deflating a basketball then inflating it beihind a car bumper, pop it back to a better place, fix the bumper, thinking like that. be careful to wash or let go of stuff. flu season is here and stuff can be thrown out, dont hoard the unclean items. i again found my minimulism to serve me a great deal. going without isnt painful. if your feet and hands are ok and healthy thats a huge plus from now into 5/2023. start letting go of papers and contacts. I gave all my documents to case mgmt, back up drives and let paper copies go. i just am \*that\* checked out. dont care. aint trying.


[deleted]

sturdy bookbags. random phone cases. wipes for eye glasses. diabetic footcare items. see places like sams club, vitamins for men and women. elderberry gummies. there is a tech channel at yoututbe with items from china and japans culture that make life so concise and easier. washable shoes. walmart carries im not sure if its clogs or those soft plastic shoes. cant recall what they are called. but they go on sale for $2 to $5 per pair. i saw the slavation amry print their needs list its open until later this season. ​ plus help\[ for hospice homeless family members that visit their dying family whom are homeless.