• Four Things You Wouldn’t Think To Donate This Summer To Your Local Soup Kitchen

    Four Things You Wouldn’t Think To Donate This Summer To Your Local Soup Kitchen

    Neighbors needing more than just a healthy hot meal.

    Between sweltering temperatures, hurricane season, mosquitos, the scorching Florida sun and torrential afternoon rainstorms, the summer months in Southwest Florida can be harsh. They can be especially unforgiving if you are homeless. Keep reading to see four things you wouldn’t think to donate for those in need this summer season.

    1. Bug Spray

    It’s no lie that mosquitoes and no-see’ums, in southwest Florida can be unbearable. What’s even worse than the bugs? Not being able to protect yourself against them. For someone fighting homelessness in this area, being able to have bug spray is a necessity. With enough donations, bug spray is made available in Community Cooperative’s food pantries and mobile pantries throughout the summer.

    2. Sunscreen

    Tanning might come easy to some, but for other’s they face harsh sunburns when the Florida sun is at its’ peak. For those who don’t have constant shelter from the sun, sunscreen can help protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays, getting a painful sunburn and helps prevent future skin cancer risk.

    3. Rain Gear

    Summer afternoons in southwest Florida are generally full of rain, and lots of it. Most people facing homelessness struggle with staying dry when the daily rain storms roll through. Donating rain ponchos, rain jackets or new and gently used umbrellas can be extremely helpful for people without a roof over their heads during this rainy season.

    4. Socks

    When the rainy season gets bad, it gets bad. And when the ground start to flood or is constantly wet, people’s shoes and socks also end up being wet. Having an extra pair of dry socks may not seem like a luxury, but if you only have one pair and now they are wet, it is. New socks can help keep folks dry and comfortable during the summer rainy months.

    While you’re enjoying your summer sitting inside your air conditioned home, dry from the rain this summer and out of reach of those pesky biting pests, think about ways you can help those who are facing a very different situation.

    For more information on what you can donate to help or other ways to help neighbors in need, click here.