“We Care” Packages for Meals on Wheels
This week we enjoyed participating in yet another exceedingly simple idea from the Doing Good Together Newsletter. Whether you already volunteer with Meals on Wheels or are simply looking for an inexpensive and rewarding volunteer activity, consider assembling Meals on Wheels “We Care” packages.
Little Miss Three and I spent time together yesterday picking a few things off the list below. It wasn’t hard to fill a small box with useful items for just a few dollars per box. Little Miss Three had fun counting out the various items in the store and sorting them into boxes when we got home. We added curly ribbon and balls of wrapping paper inside the boxes, and Little Miss Three colored a holiday picture to add to each box.
This fun activity is now one of Little Miss Three’s favorite topics of conversation. Anyone who enters the house is shown the small stack of boxes for “our friends, the grandmas and grandpas at Meals on Wheels.”
Our local Meals on Wheels coordinator assured us that we could deliver the packages ourselves onFriday’s route. Our santa hats are laid out and read for this last delivery of the calendar year for us.
The only tricky part will be balancing the three part meal and the care package, which got a bit heavier than I expected. We’ll take our time, and hopefully all will go well.
This has been a fun way to spread a little holiday cheer, along with a few pampering necessities to the people on our route! Give it a try if you find yourself with extra time in the next week.
Directions for “WE CARE” PACKAGES
Meals on Wheels
Date/Time: Create in your home at your own convenience. Deliver completed packages by mid-December
During the holidays, meal recipients are given a special goodie bag to say, “We care.” To make it as easy as possible for individuals and groups to contribute to the program, we have established guidelines. Following these guidelines will ensure that your contribution reaches Twin Cities Meals on Wheels recipients properly.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place contents in a shoe box or gift bag.
2. Cushion contents with bright tissue or wrapping paper to make it more festive. Fill the
bag or box with new, unopened, labeled items from this list:
- Sharpened pencils, pens, highlighters or Post-It notes
- Stationery, notecards, stamped envelopes
- Sports socks and/or slippers
- Magnifying glasses
- Small first-aid kits
- Puzzle books (large print is helpful)
- Potholders, jar top grippers, or other useful kitchen supplies
- Shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, lotion, deodorant, cotton balls, Q-tips, tissues
- Toothbrushes and/or toothpaste
- Sewing kits
- Combs/brushes (packaged), nail clippers, emery boards
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- NO FOOD. Many of our clients are on special diets.
- NO ADVERTISING. This goes especially for prescription or over-the-counter
- medications.
- NO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. We can accept donations of completed packages only. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to store, select and assemble individual items.
- PLEASE – Wrap each “We Care Package” so that we can take a peek in each box ensure the contents haven’t spilled in transit!
3. Enclose a cheery card if you’d like, with a general greeting such as “Happy Holidays” or “Winter Greetings.” (Keep the message secular in nature because MOW serves clients of many faiths and beliefs.) And don’t forget to sign your name!
Ages: All
Contact: E-mail info@meals-on-wheels.com or call 612.623.3363 with any questions or to
find out where to deliver your completed projects. www.meals-on-wheels.com
Tags: Improving Lives, Meals on Wheels
