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 New Jersey weather, from hot, humid summers to 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

New Jersey summers can be hot and humid, and winters bring freezing nights, snow and wind, especially at the shore. Pack water and sunscreen in summer, and add socks, a beanie, gloves and an emergency blanket in winter. Easy peasy!

BUNKLY TIP

Print a stack

Print a page of help cards, cut them out and tuck one in every bag. Easy peasy!

Sources: https://nj211.org/get-help and https://988lifeline.org/ and https://njcedv.org/ and https://www.2ndfloor.org/

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.

Anywhere in New Jersey, dial 211 and ask about warming or cooling centers, or shelter for someone who needs it.

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold

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. New Jersey food banks feed neighbors through local pantries and partners. The list later in this guide has food banks by area.
• 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 rules, so check before you collect. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, with locations in Hillside and Egg Harbor Township, says more than one third of its food is donated.

It offers ways to host a food drive, an on site food drive, virtual food drives, and diaper and period product drives.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://cfbnj.org/give/donate-food/

Where can I drop off food or bags?

Every group works a little differently, so call first.

• Food banks by area are listed later in this guide.
• The Community FoodBank of New Jersey runs virtual food drives, where your money helps buy food.
• 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.

Sources: https://cfbnj.org/give/donate-food/ and https://nj211.org/get-help

How can I help neighbors in the winter?

New Jersey winters can be dangerous for people outside. The National Weather Service says people in extreme cold can get frostbite and can develop hypothermia in a matter of minutes.

• If someone seems very cold, confused or can't get warm, call 911.
• When counties declare Code Blue during cold weather, NJ 211 lists warming centers. Dial 211, or text NJCodeBlue to 898211.
• New coats, hats, gloves and warm socks are some of the most welcome winter donations. Ask a shelter what sizes they need first.
• Hand warmers, emergency blankets and dry socks are great winter additions to a blessing bag.

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://nj211.org/njcodeblue

Can I give diapers or period products?

Yes, and families need them. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey lists diaper and period product drives among the ways to give.

You can also ask a local diaper bank, women's shelter or family shelter what they need.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://cfbnj.org/give/donate-food/

How can I volunteer?

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

• The Community FoodBank of New Jersey says you can sort and pack food with your company, family and friends at its Hillside or Egg Harbor Township locations. All volunteers must be 12 or older.
• Shelters, day centers and soup kitchens near you may need help with meals, sorting and events. Dial 211 or call them to ask.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://cfbnj.org/volunteer/

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://cfbnj.org/give/donate-food/ and https://cfbnj.org/volunteer/ and https://nj211.org/njcodeblue

Where can I give or get help near me?

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

New Jersey

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Monmouth County (Freehold and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Camden County (Camden and Cherry Hill)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Give to local groups that ask for items

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

What to put in a bag

• A gallon zip bag or small drawstring bag works well.
• Water and easy snacks: a bottle of water, granola bars, crackers, peanut butter packs (add a note if it has nuts).
• Care items: a toothbrush and toothpaste, wipes, lip balm, tissues, a comb and hand sanitizer.
• Warmth: clean new socks matter most. In New Jersey's colder months, add a hat, gloves or hand warmers.
• A small card with 211, 988 and the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline (800.572.7233).

How to give kindly

• Make eye contact, smile and say hello. A kind word can mean as much as the bag.
• Offer, don't push. It's okay if someone says no thank you.
• Stay safe. Hand a bag from the sidewalk or a parking spot, never from a moving car or in traffic.
• Ask a local group first. Each one decides what it can take, so check its list before you shop.

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 22, 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.#. Key numbers to keep

✂ cut along the line and keep it with you

Any local help, 24/7211

Emergency911

Suicide and crisis, call or text988

NJ 211211

Code Blue, text NJCodeBlue to898211

Crisis, call or text988

Affordable living. Simplified

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Last updated October 22, 2026