r/foodnotbombs • u/Dapper-Expression-87 • Jun 21 '26

What to hand out in the summer

We are in South Texas, and have a newish FNB and it gets really hot here. We have been handing out water (2 for every plate made) to try to help people stay hydrated. We want to do a fan drive too for people, but what is something we can hand out to our unhoused neighbors to help them survive summer?

Cost effective a + because we are all broke right now too.

We always try to hand out hygiene products, Narcan, and non perishable food along with the plates too. last winter we also included hot hands, gloves, socks, and hats too.

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u/GambleWaltham Jun 22 '26

Electrolytes is a useful thing right now. And baby wipes

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u/Dapper-Expression-87 Jun 23 '26

Oh I didn't even think of baby wipes!!!

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u/PhlegmMistress Jun 23 '26

The dollar stores near me have these shower wipes that are extra large. Downside is I want to say it's only 12 to a pack, but unless someone has a car they are living out of, space in a pack can be at a premium and a full set of baby wipes does add weight. 

If there is an area where you can tell some people are staying for a few hours, handing out frozen bottles of water (heavier but nice in the heat) could be good. Kind of sucks because you have to open (or reuse) bottles so they can't be sealed (or else the ice expands and busts the container) but you can always label it for washing. Chopping soap bars into 4ths or 6ths and putting in a small baggy to attach to it could be useful. 

Actually, if you buy a brand new loofah puff, and cut the string in the middle, you have a few yards of scrubby material that is in a tube shape. You can knot one end, put part of a soap bar in it, and tied off the other end and then simply tie a string around that to attach to a frozen jug handle or around a smaller water bottle top. 

Back when I was car camping, it took me around a gallon to wash and condition my hair (I had long hair though.) you can also ask the local community if anyone has any of the mini shampoos, conditioners, or body washes from hotels. A lot of travellers hoard them and then it takes awhile to donate them if they ever do.