Ready to Begin With Basics?
Create Housewarming Baskets
DURATION
2-4 hoursWHERE
At home, at school, with your group or club, at your place of worship
WHEN
Year round!
WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED
AdultHOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
For people who have lived on the streets and in shelters, often for years, transitioning back into a home of their own is an amazing gift! By creating a housewarming basket that helps make their new house a warm, welcoming home, you help make the start of this new chapter in their lives even more special.
DESCRIPTION
Help make a house a warm, welcoming home for people moving from the streets and shelters of Boston into homes of their own, many for the first time in their lives. By assembling and donating housewarming gift baskets with essential items we all need to make our house a home, you will play an important part in welcoming people into their new homes where they'll find the stability and serenity they need to begin their new chapter.
It's as simple as assembling new items like cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, a set of sheets or towels, in a basket to be given as a housewarming gift to someone moving into their new place.
ITEMS NEEDED
1. Basket
2. New household items such as cleaning supplies, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, a set of sheets or towels, etc.
3. A note card or paper, along with something to write with
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
NEXT STEPS
Download the flyer containing a list of possible items for a basket here. Follow the instructions provided. For questions, contact Jamie O'Neal O'Laughlin at jamieoneal@fobh.org or (617) 942-8683 OR Mariann Bucina Roca at mariannbucina@fobh.org or (617) 942-8671.
See VIEW INSTRUCTIONS below for details.
WEBSITE
1. Grab a basket or pick one up at a craft store.
2. Figure out which household items you will put in your basket. You can download our flyer containing a list of possible items here. Your basket can include things like cleaning supplies, bathroom toiletries, sheets, towels, essential kitchen items, etc. (Please note that all items should be new, as this makes the gift even more special.)
You may want to set a budget for your basket and calculate which items best fit in your budget. If you are doing this with a class, Scout troop, sports team or other group, you may want to assign each person to bring a different item from your list. Please remember, no matter what you choose, your gifts will transform someone's new place into a warm, welcoming home!
3. Once you have all the items you will include, assemble your basket. Be sure to include a nice "Welcome Home" note too. They mean a lot to the people who receive them!
4. Once your basket is ready, contact John at the Southampton Emergency Shelter to set up a drop off time:
John Comaschi, In-Kind Donations Coordinator
Southampton Emergency Shelter
112 Southampton Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 534-6130
*This can also be a great activity for a class, Scout troop, after school program, youth group, etc. Consider having each person bring one or two items and see how many baskets you can assemble with the donated items!
5. Be sure to let us know that you found this activity through PGK.
6. Kindly fill out this PGK impact form when you’ve completed the activity.