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 Pennsylvania 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

Pennsylvania summers can be hot and humid, and winters bring freezing nights and snow. 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. Dial 211 to ask about warming centers. In Philadelphia, the city declares a Code Blue in dangerous cold. If you're worried about someone outside, call the Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215.232.1984.

Sources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness and https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold and https://www.phila.gov/2025-01-07-what-happens-during-a-code-blue-and-how-to-get-help/

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.
• 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. Pennsylvania food banks feed neighbors through local pantries and partners. The list later in this guide has food banks in 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 two big Pennsylvania food banks say, as of October 17, 2026.

• Philabundance in Philadelphia lists its 10 most needed items: cooking oil, peanut butter and jelly, 100% juice, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereal and bars, whole grain pasta, non refrigerated milk, canned soup, and canned tuna or meat.
• Philabundance takes food drive donations at its South Philadelphia warehouse, 3616 South Galloway Street, by appointment only. Email fooddrives@philabundance.org to schedule.
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has a Most Needed Food Items list and says it does not accept glass or opened items.
• Its warehouse at 1 North Linden Street in Duquesne takes food drives Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. It recommends scheduling a drop off first. Call 412.745.3863 with questions.
• Many food banks also run online fundraisers, which collect money instead of cans so they can buy the foods most needed.

Sources: https://www.philabundance.org/most-needed-items/ and https://www.philabundance.org/donate-food/ and https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/get-involved/host-a-food-and-fund-drive/food-fund-drive-resources/

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 days and hours.
• 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.pa211.org/

How can I help neighbors in the winter?

Pennsylvania winters can be deadly for people outside. Here's how counties respond, as of October 17, 2026.

• Philadelphia. The city declares a Code Blue when the forecast calls for precipitation and 32 degrees or lower, or a wind chill of 20 degrees or below. Warming centers open, and the outreach team is on the streets. If you're worried about someone outside, call 215.232.1984. If they seem in danger, call 911.
• York County. Last winter, the county's Code Blue season ran November 1 to March 31, with day warming spots and overnight shelters listed on a county flyer and a Code Blue hotline at 717.472.8911. Check the county website for this winter's flyer.
• Allegheny County. Families with children who have nowhere safe to sleep tonight can call Allegheny Link at 1.866.730.2368.
• Anywhere else, dial 211 and ask about warming centers.
• 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.phila.gov/2025-01-07-what-happens-during-a-code-blue-and-how-to-get-help/ and https://yorkcountypa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7805/York-County-Code-Blue-flyer-2025-PDF and https://connect.alleghenycounty.us/get-help-now/

Can I give diapers or period products?

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

• The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank takes donations of diapers, period products and adult incontinence supplies year round at its Pittsburgh location and at drop off spots like libraries and churches around the area. Check the drop off list for hours.
• It also has no cost tools to host your own diaper drive, like a how to guide, an announcement template and a collection sheet.
• Elsewhere, ask a local diaper bank, women's shelter or family shelter what they need. Unopened packs are best.

Sources: https://www.wpadiaperbank.org/diaper-drop-off-locations and https://www.wpadiaperbank.org/host-a-diaper-drive

How can I volunteer?

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

• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has a Volunteer Engagement Center with shifts for individuals, families and groups. Sign up online, and read its volunteer guide first if it's your first time.
• Helping Harvest in Berks County says volunteers repack food drive donations, pack monthly senior food totes and help at Mobile Markets. Register online as a new volunteer. Some activities need a signed form first.
• 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://pittsburghfoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/ and https://helpingharvest.org/volunteer/

Philadelphia

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Allegheny County (Pittsburgh)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Montgomery County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bucks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chester County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

York County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Berks County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lehigh County (Allentown)

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