About Share Packages
The idea for Share Packages came from several different experiences. First, through volunteering at a local non-profit's thrift store where I saw how many items, often brand new, people have in their homes, clean out and drop off just to get rid of them. I had also volunteered to help package items for a Seattle homeless shelter - socks, a comb, shampoo and soap - items that one needed for a nice shower. When I traveled to South America, I visited an organization which helps kids of families who live in an area where many do not have electricity, water has to be retrieved from a spigot in the street and many of the roads aren't even paved. They have very few modern conveniences.
Then through my own family travels and in talking to family members and friends, I found that we all seem to collect small travel size items that often go unused. They sit in a container under the sink, just in case. How great if we could recycle some of the unused but important little items we have in our homes and share them with people who could really use them. The gift may be small but it's thoughtful and these are items that people need for everyday living or maybe just in the case of an emergency like when they have to spend a night in a shelter. Maybe some of them are a luxury for some families - something that will make them feel really nice.
Since I started the project, it has changed and evolved. If someone calls with a donation of sheets and towels, I work to find a nonprofit needing those items. When I had donation of coats and sweaters, I was able to find homeless shelters that needed those particular items. Towels and bathmat donations were happily received by an animal shelter.
Of course, with Covid-19, many shelters stopped taking donations for a period of time and, as they opened back up, have asked for things like soap, hand sanitizer, wipes and paper towels. Soap has been one of the easiest items Share Packages is able to provide. I also expanded to donate items for other charity collections including food drives and events at area senior living facilities.
Support Share Packages and help send a thoughtful gift to families and individuals who need these items. I am always taking donations to include in our next delivery of Share Packages. I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me with my community service project over the years. Check out my "Passing the Torch" page to find out what's happening next with Share Packages.
Thank you!
Benjamin
Then through my own family travels and in talking to family members and friends, I found that we all seem to collect small travel size items that often go unused. They sit in a container under the sink, just in case. How great if we could recycle some of the unused but important little items we have in our homes and share them with people who could really use them. The gift may be small but it's thoughtful and these are items that people need for everyday living or maybe just in the case of an emergency like when they have to spend a night in a shelter. Maybe some of them are a luxury for some families - something that will make them feel really nice.
Since I started the project, it has changed and evolved. If someone calls with a donation of sheets and towels, I work to find a nonprofit needing those items. When I had donation of coats and sweaters, I was able to find homeless shelters that needed those particular items. Towels and bathmat donations were happily received by an animal shelter.
Of course, with Covid-19, many shelters stopped taking donations for a period of time and, as they opened back up, have asked for things like soap, hand sanitizer, wipes and paper towels. Soap has been one of the easiest items Share Packages is able to provide. I also expanded to donate items for other charity collections including food drives and events at area senior living facilities.
Support Share Packages and help send a thoughtful gift to families and individuals who need these items. I am always taking donations to include in our next delivery of Share Packages. I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me with my community service project over the years. Check out my "Passing the Torch" page to find out what's happening next with Share Packages.
Thank you!
Benjamin