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 Ohio weather, from hot, humid summers to cold, snowy 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

Ohio summers can be hot and humid, and winters bring freezing nights, snow and 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.

Anywhere in Ohio, 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. Ohio food banks feed neighbors through local pantries and partners. The list later in this guide has food banks for 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 some big Ohio food banks say, as of October 18, 2026.

• The Greater Cleveland Food Bank says you can collect money, food and needed non food items with a food and funds drive. No appointment is needed to drop off food, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, at 13815 Coit Rd. Items should be unopened and unexpired.
• The Akron Canton Regional Foodbank lists its most needed items, including personal care items like deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. It asks for no opened items and no glass bottles or jars.
• The Foodbank in Dayton says to contact it before you start, to talk about the dates and times of your drive. It says all non perishable foods can be used. Drop off is Monday to Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3:30 pm, and it asks for at least 48 business hours' notice.
• The Mid Ohio Food Collective takes food donations at 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, from 8 am to 3 pm. It says all food must be sealed in its original package.

Sources: https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/give-help/ways-to-give/workplace-giving/faqs and https://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/super-six and https://thefoodbankdayton.org/give-food/ and https://mofc.org/ways-we-help/food-bank/

Where can I drop off food or bags?

Every group works a little differently, so call first.

• Food banks for big Ohio counties are listed later in this guide, with their drop off details.
• Many food banks also run virtual food drives, where your money buys food in bulk. The Freestore Foodbank and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank both offer one.
• 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://freestorefoodbank.org/ and https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/give-help/ways-to-give/workplace-giving/faqs

How can I help neighbors in the winter?

Ohio 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.
• Dial 211 and ask about warming centers or shelter near you. You can share the number with anyone who needs a warm place.
• 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.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold

Can I give diapers or period products?

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

• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank has drop off locations around Cincinnati for diapers and period supplies. Large donations go to its warehouse by appointment.
• The Columbus Diaper Coalition takes diapers from preemie through size 8, pull ups, swim diapers and baby wipes at business drop off sites around Columbus. Your child's outgrown sizes are welcome, even in open boxes.
• The Diaper Bank of Greater Cleveland accepts all sizes, including pull ups and swim diapers, at donation bins. Unopened packs or leftover diapers your child has outgrown are welcome.
• The Akron Canton Regional Foodbank lists personal care items like toothpaste, soap and shampoo among its most needed items.
• Elsewhere, ask a local diaper bank, women's shelter or family shelter what they need.

Sources: https://www.sweetcheeksdiaperbank.org/donate-product and https://www.columbusdiapercoalition.org/diaper-drop-off-locations and https://diaperbankgc.org/donate/donate-diapers/ and https://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/super-six

How can I volunteer?

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

• The Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati says children as young as 10 can volunteer.
• The Akron Canton Regional Foodbank says volunteers must be at least 10 years old, and those 15 and under must come with a parent, guardian or group chaperone.
• The Mid Ohio Food Collective has group volunteering for school, faith and other groups, ages 13 and up.
• The Greater Cleveland Food Bank's volunteers collect, sort and repack donated food. Call its Volunteer Experience Team at 216.738.7240.
• The Columbus Diaper Coalition holds packing sessions on weeknights, weekdays and Saturday mornings.
• 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://freestorefoodbank.org/volunteer/ and https://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/volunteer and https://mofc.org/volunteer/ and https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/give-help/volunteer

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/super-six and https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org/give-help/ways-to-give/workplace-giving/faqs and https://freestorefoodbank.org/volunteer/

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.

Franklin County (Columbus)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Cuyahoga County (Cleveland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hamilton County (Cincinnati)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Summit County (Akron)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County (Dayton)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lucas County (Toledo)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Stark County

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 18, 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 18, 2026