If someone was to send a care package to a needy family overseas, what would one include in it??

Question

Mc Hummer - I wasn't going to send through an organization. It's ok.

Money will most likely be taken by the government before the person even opens the package.

Answer 1

Depending on the country...If it were an underdeveloped country I
would probably include the basic staples; flour, cornmeal, salt sugar, rice, etc. and non perishable items easy to open like crackers, cookies, anything dried. i also would send shirts, shorts, flip- flops. depending on the sizes of the family members. basic first aid supplies, simple toys or picture books and linens, diapers if family has a baby.
and personal hygiene items. But if it were a developed country i would ask the family. but I have question...why send it overseas when there are plenty of needy families right here in our country?
Good Luck...Imma

Answer 2

Money will go a long ways in their country. Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, canned meat and chocolate because it may be a luxury in to buy in some countries. Do not send clothes or shoes unless you know exactly what they like and their size. They maybe poor but they still have taste. Jams, jellies, peanut butter, batteries (all sizes) and flash lights. I come from a 3rd world country so I am speaking from experience as to what someone there would want. Overall, you can ask the family exactly what they need and also what they want.

Answer 3

If you're talking about the "christmas shoebox" program, DON'T give to them. They are a hate-filled fundamentalist christian group (run by Billy Graham's son, who called islam a "satanic religion") who send bible tracts to muslim children in third world countries. All they end up doing is giving the muslims more motivation to hate westerners.

Most times, your money is better spent when given to Unicef, CARE, or other charities. They can buy in bulk and usually know better what the local families need and can use in third world countries.


Additional:

If you are doing it through a legitimate, non-evangelical (or preferably, non-sectarian) charity, think about these as box fillers:

1. A few boxes of chalk. Third world schools usually have chalkboards (one large, one small one per student) and nothing else - no books, no paper, no "whiteboards" with plastic markers. (They use chalkboards because it requires no special materials.) Kids or schools may run short of chalk and could always use more.

2. T-shirts and shorts from a thrift shop (or a good, cheap no-name brand). Unless it's a cold country, extra clothes are always welcome. I say buy at thrift shops because you can get many more for the same amount of money.

3. Games and toys.
(a) Uninflated soccer balls or maybe large "nerf" balls. Unless they're starving, like in Darfur, a communal playing ball for football is always welcome. (Nerf balls are lighter and pack better, plus they don't need to be inflated.)
(b) Some simple games would go over well (paper boards with chess/checker pieces, decks of cards, Ludo games, dominoes, etc.). It doesn't need to be "Monopoly" or "Sorry"; those are probably too heavy to send and too obscure to be playable.

4. Children's story books (with about 12-16 pages and 100 words per book) or math practice books. Math books would be generic enough to work in any language, and since English is very commonly taught by charities in schools, the kids (and their parents, since many are illiterate) will have lightweight reading practice (lightweight both physically and in content).


.

Answer 4

In a utilitarian way, some money or some precious metals may be a good choice, if allowed.
However, just some old clothes and some general merchandises will be rather useful for a needy family.

Answer 5

If you've got the age clothing, shoes, toys, games and teddies for children (nothing representing war eg. a toy gun) paper and coloured pencils, toiletries, first aid supplies, non perishable food oh and money. your better of researching about it on the net. why send care packages other seas when their is a lot needy people in your own country too.

Answer 6

Dry goods like flour, corn meal, crackers, etc

Answer 7

Clothing and non-perishable foods