How to Make Blessing Bags

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Thank you for having such a big heart. A blessing bag is a small bag of everyday things you keep in your car or tote to hand to someone who's having a hard time. It's a simple way to say: I see you, and you matter.

This guide walks you through what to pack for Illinois weather, from hot, humid summers to bitter cold, windy winters, what to skip, how to give kindly and safely, and how to support the local groups that serve neighbors every day.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each group decides what it can accept. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. Ask before you drop anything off.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

What should I put in a blessing bag?

Think small, useful and easy to carry. A gallon zip bag or a small drawstring bag works great.

BUNKLY TIP

Pack for the season

Illinois summers can be hot and humid, and winters bring freezing nights, snow and sharp wind. Pack water and sunscreen in summer, and add socks, a beanie, gloves and an emergency blanket in winter. Easy peasy!

What should I leave out?

• Things that melt or spoil, like chocolate or anything that needs a fridge. Cars get very hot in summer.
• Hard or crunchy foods that are tough to chew. Softer snacks are kinder for sore teeth.
• Glass bottles and sharp things.
• Alcohol and mouthwash with alcohol.
• Cash, unless you feel good about it. A gift card for a nearby grocery or fast food spot can be a nice option.

How do I help someone who seems too hot or too cold?

Summer heat can be dangerous. The National Weather Service says signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, cool, pale, clammy skin, dizziness, nausea and headache.

It says to move the person to a cooler place, loosen clothing, use cool wet cloths, and offer sips of water.

Heat stroke is an emergency. The National Weather Service says signs include confusion, a body temperature above 103 degrees, hot, red skin and fainting, and to call 911 right away.

Cold nights matter too. The National Weather Service says hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can make it. If someone seems very cold, confused or can't get warm, call 911.

In Chicago, call 311 to ask for a well being check for an unhoused neighbor, to request shelter, or to find a cooling or warming center. Anywhere else in Illinois, dial 211 and ask about warming or cooling centers.

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/extreme-weather-resources.html

A kind word and a warm pair of socks can turn someone's whole day around. Thank you for being that person, friend.

From the Bunklow team

How do I give kindly and safely?

• Make eye contact, smile and say hello. A kind word can mean as much as the bag.
• Offer, don't push. It's OK if someone says no thank you.
• Stay safe. Hand a bag from the sidewalk or a parked spot, never from a moving car or in traffic.
• Bring a friend if you're going out with kids, and trust your gut. If a spot doesn't feel right, give your bags to a shelter instead.
• Respect privacy. Please don't take photos of people without asking.
• Share what you know. If someone asks for help, point them to 211 or this guide.

BUNKLY TIP

Ask a group first

Before you shop for a group drive, call the shelter or day center. Each one decides what it can take, and they'll tell you what's needed most. You'll make it count!

How else can I help?

• Give to food banks. Illinois food banks feed neighbors through local pantries and partners. The list later in this guide has food banks near big counties.
• Volunteer. Shelters, pantries and day centers often need helpers for meals, sorting and events.
• Share this guide. Our Find Help Near You guides list places to call in each topic. Share them with anyone who could use them.

How do I run a food drive the right way?

Food banks have safety rules, so check before you collect. Here is what three big Illinois food banks say, as of October 17, 2026.

• The Greater Chicago Food Depository says it is not taking small, individual food drives right now. It asks groups to start a virtual food drive, which raises money so it can buy food in bulk. For a traditional drive, it suggests calling a partner food pantry near you about drop off hours.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank lists its most needed items, like canned fruit in juice, low sodium canned vegetables, dry beans and lentils, canned chicken or tuna in water, peanut butter, whole grain cereal, oatmeal, brown rice and low sodium soups. No glass containers, please.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank says smaller drives, up to about 6 boxes, can use the contactless drop off at its Food Bank Centers during public business hours, typically Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm. For bigger drives, contact the Food Bank first to set a time.
• Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield lists pasta, pasta sauce, low sodium canned vegetables and soup, canned meat in water, canned fruit in juice, peanut butter and whole grain cereal and crackers as its most needed foods. It can't take rusty cans, unlabeled or homemade items, alcohol, or open or used items.

Sources: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/get-involved/why-virtual-food-drives/ and https://secure.qgiv.com/event/fundraisers22/page/fooddrive/ and https://centralilfoodbank.org/give-help/hold-a-food-drive/

Where can I drop off food or bags?

Every group works a little differently, so call first.

• Food banks in other parts of the state are listed by county later in this guide, with their drop off details.
• Many food banks also run online fundraisers, where your money buys food in bulk.
• Shelters and day centers may take blessing bags or new socks. Ask what they need most right now. Dial 211 to find one near you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.211illinois.org/

How can I help neighbors in the winter?

Illinois winters can be deadly for people outside. Here's how Chicago responds, as of October 17, 2026.

• The City of Chicago opens warming centers when temperatures are expected to be 32 degrees or below. Its six Community Service Centers are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and the Garfield Community Service Center at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. may stay open later during extreme weather.
• Call 311 to find the nearest warming center, to request shelter, or to ask for a well being check for an unhoused neighbor or a senior.
• If someone seems in danger, call 911.
• Outside Chicago, dial 211 and ask about warming centers near you.
• New coats, hats, gloves and warm socks are some of the most welcome winter donations. Ask a shelter what sizes they need first.

Sources: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/extreme-weather-resources.html and https://www.211illinois.org/

Can I give diapers or period products?

Yes, and they're always needed, since SNAP and WIC can't pay for them.

• Central Illinois Foodbank lists diapers, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, laundry soap and toilet paper among its most needed non food items.
• The Diaper Bank of Chicago welcomes volunteers to help sort, organize and deliver donations. It also has an online wish list, and you can contact it to start a diaper collection with your office or group.
• Elsewhere, ask a local diaper bank, women's shelter or family shelter what they need. Unopened packs are best.

Sources: https://centralilfoodbank.org/give-help/hold-a-food-drive/ and https://www.diaperchicago.org/get-involved

How can I volunteer?

Food banks need lots of helpers, and many welcome families and groups.

• The Greater Chicago Food Depository says children ages 5 to 11 can help at its Family Days, held Saturday afternoons. Volunteers over age 11, including youth groups, can join repack sessions at its warehouse.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank says volunteers under 16 must be with an adult 21 or older. Children 8 and older can volunteer with their family or in groups with adult chaperones.
• Eastern Illinois Foodbank in Urbana has volunteer opportunities and an online volunteer registration.
• Shelters, day centers and soup kitchens near you may need help with meals, sorting and events. Dial 211 or call them to ask.

Sources: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/ and https://solvehungertoday.org/how-to-help/volunteer/ and https://www.eifoodbank.org/action/volunteer/

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/get-involved/why-virtual-food-drives/ and https://secure.qgiv.com/event/fundraisers22/page/fooddrive/

Where can I give or get help near me?

Here are food banks, drop off spots and help lines by area. Each group decides what it can accept, so call first.

Chicago: ask for help for someone outside

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chicago and Cook County: food and diaper drives

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Suburban Cook County and the rest of Illinois

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

DuPage County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Will County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kane County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Winnebago County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Madison County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

St. Clair County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Champaign County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Sangamon County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Peoria County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Numbers for your help card (all checked Oct 17, 2026)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My blessing bag plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to share

BUNKLY TIP

Thank you, friend

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Thank you for caring about your neighbors. Make it a great day!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 17, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 17, 2026