Many homeless people don’t always have necessities like food, hygiene products, or a safe place to sleep. One simple and helpful way for communities to support them is by creating blessing bags. These are small bags filled with useful items such as toiletries, snacks, socks, and kind notes. They offer immediate help and remind people that others care about them.
Churches, non-profit organizations, community groups, and social service programs distribute free blessing bags to homeless individuals throughout the United States. These bags contain personal hygiene items, snacks, socks, and other basic necessities, and can be obtained at shelters, soup kitchens, and local outreach events.
Where to Find Free Blessing Bags for the Homeless
If you are homeless or helping someone in need, below we will explain where and how to find free blessing bags, what they include, and how local communities distribute them.
1. Churches and Faith-Based Organizations
Churches are one of the most reliable faith-based organizations that give out blessing bags. Many of them hold community drives to collect small hygiene items, bottled water, and snacks for people who need help. You can look into:
Local churches and ministries sometimes provide blessing bags during Sunday services or community outreach events.
Homeless ministries, such as Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and Lutheran Services, regularly provide blessing bags along with other essential items like clothing and food.
Community outreach programs collaborate with local homeless shelters or food banks, which may also distribute blessing bags during weekly meal programs or worship nights.
Tip: If you visit a church office, ask if they have “homeless kits,” “care packages,” or “blessing bags.” Even if they don’t have any that day, they can often connect you with nearby programs that do.
2. Homeless Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs
Shelters not only provide beds and meals, but sometimes collaborate with volunteer groups to distribute blessing bags. Many organizations receive donations from schools, scout groups, and community members who prepare these kits specifically for residents. You can ask:
- Salvation Army Shelters
- Union Rescue Missions
- City-run Homeless Resource Centers
- Volunteers of America Transitional Housing Programs
Even if a shelter is full, the front desk staff sometimes has hygiene kits or small blessing bags available for walk-ins.
3. Local Food Pantries and Community Centers
Many food pantries and community outreach centers know that people facing hunger often also lack personal care items. Some have small “care shelves” filled with blessing bags for anyone who requests them. Such as:
- Feeding America Affiliated Food Banks
- Community Action Agencies
- YWCA or YMCA Centers
- Neighborhood Resource Centers or Warming Stations
These centers can also help you to get others’ support, such as clothing closets, showers, or transportation vouchers.
4. Street Outreach and Mobile Ministry Programs
Across the country, street outreach programs visit homeless camps, parks and roadside areas to provide direct assistance to homeless people. Volunteers often bring blessing bags filled with items such as toothbrushes, wipes, socks, protein snacks, and feminine hygiene products. Such as:
The Street Medicine Project (operating in many U.S. cities)
Mobile Loaves & Fishes (Austin and surrounding areas)
Dream Center Outreach programs (in several states)
Local “Hope Vans” or “Care Trucks” operated by nonprofits and city governments
You can usually find these programs on social media or through local homeless resource directories.
5. Libraries and Public Resource Desks
Public libraries have become a safe and welcoming place for any homeless families or individuals. Some libraries partner with charities to distribute blessing bags, especially during the winter months.
Ask your librarian or social worker (many large city libraries have one) if they have hygiene kits or referral lists for community outreach organizations.
6. School and Youth Programs
Many high school service clubs, scout groups, and campus ministries prepare blessing bags as part of volunteer projects. These are donated to local shelters, churches, or distributed directly during community events.
If you live near a local college or university, check with your student services office or campus ministry. They may know when the next community outreach event or donation drop-off is scheduled.
7. Nonprofits and Charity Drives
Several national and local nonprofits regularly distribute free blessing bags or hygiene kits to the homeless. Some of the most active include:
- Blessing Bags International: Coordinates community drives and donation events across the United States.
- Project Ropa: Provides clothing, hygiene kits, and personal care services in Los Angeles.
- Hope Vibes: Distributes blessing bags and mobile hygiene units in North Carolina.
- Love Beyond Walls: A mobile community outreach group that delivers care kits and showers in Atlanta.
- Be Kind Project: Hosts blessing bag events in various cities, often during the holidays.
Remember that most of these organizations post their schedules online or on social media, making it easy to find nearby events.
8. Community Events and Seasonal Giving Campaigns
During the holidays and colder months, community centers, churches, and civic groups hold “Blessing Bag Giveaways” or “Winter Campaigns.” These events include food, blankets, and hygiene kits for those in need. Look for announcements on:
- Local news sites
- Facebook community pages
- City or county social service departments
Many cities also host Homeless Resource Fairs: one-day events offering free meals, haircuts, medical screenings, and blessing bags.
How to find Free Blessing Bags for the Homeless?
If you have internet access, search for:
“Free blessing bags for homeless people near me”
“Homeless hygiene kit distribution [name of your city]”
“Community support for homeless people [city]”
Websites like HomelessShelterDirectory.org, FindHelp.org, and 211.org also list local programs offering personal care kits and emergency support.
If you don’t have internet access, call 211 from any phone in the U.S. It’s a free service that connects you with local charities, food programs, shelters, and community outreach events.
List of Blessing Bag Providers by State
Alabama
First Light Shelter (Birmingham): Provides hygiene kits and blessing bags to women and children.
Foundry Ministries (Bessemer): Distributes care packages during community events.
Alaska
Downtown Soup Kitchen Hope Center (Anchorage): Provides meals and hygiene kits daily.
Love INC of Anchorage: Provides blessing bags through partner churches.
Arizona
Phoenix Rescue Mission: Distributes blessing bags through its Hope Coach mobile units.
St. Vincent de Paul (Phoenix and Tucson): Regularly distributes hygiene bags and care kits.
Arkansas
La Van (Little Rock): A mobile relief program delivers blessing bags directly to homeless encampments.
Refugio Nuestra Casa (Little Rock): Provides hygiene kits to residents and visitors.
California
Los Angeles Mission: Provides blessing bags and hygiene kits daily.
Project Clothes (Los Angeles): Delivers clothing and care kits through mobile units.
Impact in the City of San Francisco: Distributes blessing bags and meals weekly.
Union Rescue Mission (Los Angeles): Distributes hygiene kits and food daily.
Colorado
Denver Rescue Mission: Distributes blessing bags to homeless people downtown.
Catholic Charities Denver: Provides hygiene kits and toiletries at shelters.
Springs Rescue Mission (Colorado Springs): Provides hygiene bags and free showers.
Connecticut
New Reach (New Haven): Distributes care packages through homeless assistance programs.
Hartford Missionary Outreach: Provides blessing bags and food boxes weekly.
Delaware
Friendship House (Wilmington): Provides blessing bags, socks, and hygiene items.
Sunday Breakfast Mission: Distributes hygiene kits in shelters and during street outreach.
Florida
Miami Rescue Mission: Provides blessing bags and personal care kits daily.
Orlando Union Rescue Mission: Distributes hygiene kits and clothing.
Blessing Bags of Brevard: Local nonprofit organization that distributes free blessing bags throughout Brevard County.
Georgia
Love Beyond Walls (Atlanta): Mobile units deliver blessing bags and hygiene kits.
Atlanta Mission: Provides hygiene supplies, meals, and prayer support.
Hawaii
Human Services Institute (Honolulu): Distributes hygiene kits and food.
Hale Kipa: Provides community outreach and care bags for homeless youth.
Idaho
Boise Rescue Mission: Provides blessing bags and meals daily.
Corpus Christi House (Boise): Provides hygiene supplies and day services.
Illinois
Pacific Garden Mission (Chicago): Distributes hygiene kits and care bags.
Blessing Bags of Chicago: Volunteer-led organization distributing care bags throughout the city.
Indiana
Wheeler Mission (Indianapolis): Provides blessing bags and emergency supplies.
Lighthouse Mission (Terre Haute): Provides hygiene kits to those in need.
Iowa
Central Iowa Shelter and Services (Des Moines): Provides hygiene bags and essential items.
Blessing Bags for the Homeless – Des Moines Chapter: Volunteer group distributing monthly kits.
Kansas
Union Rescue Mission (Wichita): Provides blessing bags and clothing.
HumanKind Ministries (Wichita): Provides hygiene items through community support vans.
Kentucky
Hope Center (Lexington): Distributes hygiene kits and food daily.
Louisville Rescue Mission: Provides care bags and community support services.
Louisiana
New Orleans Mission: Distributes blessing bags and personal care kits.
The Shepherd’s Table (Baton Rouge): Provides food and hygiene kits.
Maine
Preble Street Resource Center (Portland): Provides hygiene kits and clothing.
Hope Acts (Portland): Provides blessing bags and support to immigrants and the homeless.
Maryland
Helping Up Mission (Baltimore): Distributes blessing bags and clothing.
The Light House Shelter (Annapolis): Distributes hygiene items and meals.
Massachusetts
Boston Health Care Program for the Homeless: Provides care kits during support visits.
Blessing Bags Boston: Volunteer-based nonprofit organization that provides free kits to homeless residents.
Michigan
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: Provides blessing bags daily.
Blessing Bags Brigade (Grand Rapids): Delivers hygiene kits and essential items.
Minnesota
People Serving People (Minneapolis): Provides blessing bags to families.
The Drawer (Twin Cities): Distributes socks and hygiene items through partners.
Mississippi
Stewpot Community Services (Jackson): Provides hygiene kits and meals.
The Hub for Community Services (Hattiesburg): Provides blessing bags and community support.
Missouri
The Gathering Tree (Springfield): Distributes blessing bags through Eden Village’s community outreach program.
New Life Evangelistic Center (St. Louis): Offers hygiene kits and food.
Montana
Poverello Center (Missoula): Offers blessing bags and daily meals.
God’s Love Shelter (Helena): Offers hygiene kits and clothing.
Nebraska
Open Door Mission (Omaha): Offers care kits and food daily.
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (Lincoln): Distributes hygiene and comfort kits.
Nevada
Las Vegas Rescue Mission: Offers blessing bags and hygiene kits daily.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada: Offers care kits and meals.
New Hampshire
Nashua Soup Kitchen: Offers hygiene kits to walk-ins.
Families in Transition (Manchester): Offers blessing bags and personal care items.
New Jersey
Newark Hope Center: Distributes blessing bags weekly.
New Jersey Blessing Bag Brigade: Nonprofit organization distributing kits in northern New Jersey.
New Mexico
The Rock at NoonDay (Albuquerque): Provides meals and hygiene kits.
St. Felix Pantry (Rio Rancho): Provides care packages and food.
New York
Bowery Mission (New York): Distributes blessing bags daily.
Coalition for the Homeless (New York): Provides hygiene kits through mobile assistance.
Blessing Bags NYC: Volunteer group distributing care packages throughout the city.
North Carolina
Hope Vibes (Charlotte): Distributes blessing bags and mobile showers.
Raleigh Rescue Mission: Provides hygiene kits and meals.
North Dakota
New Life Center (Fargo): Offers hygiene kits and winter clothing.
Minot Area Homeless Coalition: Offers blessing bags and support events.
Ohio
Blessing Bags of Columbus: Community organization distributing free care bags.
Cleveland City Mission: Offers hygiene kits and emergency supplies.
Oklahoma
City Rescue Mission (Oklahoma City): Offers blessing bags and clothing.
Tulsa Nightlight: Distributes care kits during weekly support events.
Oregon
Portland Rescue Mission: Offers hygiene kits and meals daily.
Transition Projects (Portland): Distributes blessing bags through support teams.
Pennsylvania
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission (Philadelphia): Offers hygiene kits and blessing bags.
Light of Life Rescue Mission (Pittsburgh): Offers care bags and food daily.
Rhode Island
Crossroads Rhode Island: Offers blessing bags and personal care items.
Mathewson Street Church (Providence): Distributes hygiene kits weekly.
South Carolina
Charleston Transitional Housing and Assistance: Offers blessing bags and food.
Columbia Mission (Midlands): Assists with hygiene and clothing.
South Dakota
The Banquet (Sioux Falls): Offers care kits and daily meals.
Bishop Dudley House of Hospitality (Sioux Falls): Provides blessing bags to residents.
Tennessee
Nashville Rescue Mission: Distributes hygiene kits daily.
Room in the Inn (Memphis and Nashville): Offers blessing bags through partner churches.
Texas
Mobile Loaves & Fishes (Austin): Delivers blessing bags and food through food trucks.
Star of Hope (Houston): Provides hygiene and comfort kits.
The Stewpot (Dallas): Distributes blessing bags to homeless residents of the center.
Utah
The Road Home (Salt Lake City): Provides hygiene kits and personal care items.
Catholic Community Services of Utah: Provides blessing bags through outreach activities.
Vermont
Charity Blessing Bags (Burlington): Volunteer-led organization that provides free kits.
Spectrum Youth and Family Services: Provides hygiene items to homeless youth.
Virginia
Caritas (Richmond): Provides blessing bags and hygiene kits.
RVA Blessing Warriors: Local group that distributes free care packages.
Washington
Union Evangelical Mission (Seattle): Provides blessing bags and meals daily.
Mary’s Place (Seattle): Provides hygiene kits for women and families.
West Virginia
Union Mission Ministries (Charleston): Provides hygiene kits and food.
Blessing Bags of WV: Distributes care packages in several counties.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee Rescue Mission: Provides blessing bags and hygiene kits daily.
Madison Street Angels: Distributes care packages through street outreach.
Wyoming
Cheyenne Rescue Mission: Provides blessing bags and food daily.
Seton House (Casper): Provides kits and hygiene items to families.
What’s in a Typical Blessing Bag?
Although the contents vary, most blessing bags include:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Socks, gloves, or a hat
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
- Snacks (granola bars, trail mix, cookies)
- Bottled water or juice
- A kind note or card of encouragement
These small gestures can mean a lot to someone going through difficult times.
Final Thoughts
Blessing bags are necessary for families who are facing homelessness. They can be found through churches, shelters, non-profit organizations, food banks, and community events, often distributed by volunteers who want to make a difference.
If you need it, don’t hesitate to ask at local churches, shelters, or community centers; sometimes they also have more resources. And if you’re looking to help, preparing and distributing blessing bags is one of the most personal and direct ways to make a difference.
