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Cold Care for the Homeless

Classic Kynd Kit
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Gratitude Practice

Let's start by taking a moment to practice gratitude.

  • List three things you love about your job, workplace, or school.

  • Describe an experience that was painful, but made you a stronger person.

The Recipient

There are an estimated 553,742 people in the United States experiencing homelessness on a given night, according to the most recent national point-in-time estimate. This represents a rate of approximately 17 people experiencing homelessness per 10,000 people in the general population.

The Reason

For people experiencing homelessness, the cold weather presents many challenges. This kit is designed to build cold care kits to hand out when you see someone who could use it. The most basic needs can make a world of difference to those experiencing homelessness. By making a cold care kit you can impact someone with a meaningful, thoughtful action.

Unpack the Box

  • Take everything out of the box.
  • Lay everything out so you can find what you need to build the kit.

Create Your Kynd Code

* We are currently transitioning out of this step. If your kit has a reference to a Kynd Code, please disregard.

Register Your Kit to Follow It's Journey

*Starting on April 4th, we have implemented a QR code/serial number process. If you do not have a QR code on the plastic bag inside your box, please disregard this step. This QR code will be blue and has a serial number starting with KK underneath it. See example image below.

*Starting on April 4th, we have implemented a QR code/serial number process. If you do not have a QR code on the plastic bag inside your box, please disregard this step. This QR code will be blue and has a serial number starting with KK underneath it.
1. Locate the QR Code serial number on your Kynd Kit
  • If you have a classic kit, it will be located on the plastic bag inside the kit
  • If you have Plus or Max kit, it will be located on the inside of the box. 
2. Go to kit registration page 
  • If you are using your phone, open your camera and scan the QR code
  • If you are using your computer, click this link below and enter the serial number listed below the QR code
    • Code starts with KK 
Click here to go to kit registration page
3. Register your kit
  • Fill out the requested fields 
  • By providing this information, you will be notified when your kit is returned to Project Helping and when it is distributed to those in need 

*We will not use your information for anything besides notifying you of your Kynd Kit progress. 

4. When you have completed registering your kit, please return to this page to continue building your kit. 
5. Please ensure you include your QR serial code when returning your kit so we can scan it when we receive it.
6. You can visit kyndkit.org at any time to check the status of your Kynd Kit. 
 

Find the Kynd Card

This is for you to spread extra kyndness to someone in your own life.  Consider writing a note to a friend, loved one, or colleague that you are grateful for.  Address the note and send it in the mail or give it to someone in person.

DO NOT include this in the finished kit.

Completed Kynd Kits go all over the world. As you customize your kit, please refrain from using any religion or political content.

Write a Note to the Recipient

1. Find the following items:
  • Blank card and matching envelope
  • Enclosed materials such as crayons, markers, stickers, etc.
2. Write your letter and decorate the envelope.
  • Use the enclosed materials to write a letter and decorate the envelope.
  • Express your encouragement and include a hopeful message.

Helpful Tips:

  • Do not include a date or year on the letter.
  • Avoid politics completely and religion in excess.
  • Use appropriate humor
* Can’t think of what to write, draw a picture!
 
3. Put the completed card in the envelope you decorated. 
  • Include the Kynd Code sheet with the card.
  • Please DO NOT lick the envelope shut

Decorate the Canvas Bag

1. Find the following items:
  • Canvas bag
  • Markers
2. Decorate the canvas bag.
  • Use the permanent markers to decorate the canvas bag. 
    * Can’t think of what to write, draw a picture!

Tip: Place a piece of paper in the canvas bag before decorating to prevent the marker from bleeding through.

 

Decorate the Plastic Bag

1. Find the following items:
  • Write-on plastic bag
  • Markers
2. Decorate the plastic bag.
  • Use the enclosed markers to write an encouraging message or draw a picture on the white panel on the plastic bag. This is how the final kit is distributed so make this colorful and fun for the recipient to open.

Pack the Kit

  • Pack all of the materials into the decorated plastic bag and canvas bag and put it back into the original box.
  • Add any optional items you would like.
  • More socks
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Sanitary items
  • Moisturizer
  • Hand warmers
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Toothbrushes
  • Cotton swabs
  • Mini sewing kit
  • Winter hat/mittens
  • Baby wipes
  • Comb or brush
  • Phone card
  • Tissues
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Please only include items that are UNOPENED and UNUSED
Items not to include: 
  • Perishable items
  • Sharp objects
  • Nut food products
  • Religious or political items
  • Alcohol

Delivery Options

*If your kit has a prepaid return label, apply that label to the outside of the box and send it back to Project Helping for distribution. 

Distribution options if your kit does not have a prepaid return label. 

1. Put the completed kit in your car, or take it with you when you go out. When you see someone in need, give them your care package.
 
OR
 
2. Bring your completed kit to any local homeless shelter.
 
These are just two examples of how to give your completed Kynd Kit out. Be creative in distributing your kit.

You Did It!

Thank you for building a Kynd Kit!

Where would you like to go from here?

Follow us on Social Media!

Dollars for Doers

  • If your company offers a Dollars for Doers program, you can submit the time you spent building your Kynd Kit to benefit Project Helping. 

Official Name: Project Helping

Website: ProjectHelping.org

EIN/Tax ID: 45-2442366

Nonprofit Classification: 501(c)(3)

Share Your Impact

Post your experience on KyndHub.

KyndHub is an online community that gamifies volunteering, acts of kindness, and gratitude.

  1. Go to KyndHub.com or download the free app.
  2. Create a free account or log in.
  3. Select “I Built a Kynd Kit” from the post menu.
  4. Post about your kit.

LOGIN TO KYNDHUB

Share Your Completed Kynd Kit on Social Media!

We’d love to hear about your Kynd Kit experience. Post your completed kit on social media and tag Project Helping.

Get More Kynd Kits

Go back to the Kynd Kit bundle builder and get more kits to continue your impact.
Get Kits

Back to the Instruction Index

Go back to the Kynd Kit instruction index to build more kits!
Back to Instructions

Project Helping Homepage

Go to the Project Helping homepage. Explore our programs and get involved!
Project Helping