Instructions & guidelines
Help From Home Kits
Although most on-site volunteering remains suspended due to COVID-19, we are still in need of Snack Packs and Clean Home Kits. Making these kits is a great way to continue supporting us from afar as we expand our services to meet the community’s growing needs! Refer to the guidelines below for specific items to include in each kit.
Please note the following:
- If you’re assembling Snack Packs, you must schedule a drop-off by contacting us at GroupVolunteerEvents@DowntownWomensCenter.org. *We will not accept unscheduled Snack Pack deliveries.
- If you’re assembling Toiletry Kits or Clean Home Kits, please click here to schedule a contactless donation drop-off. *We will not accept unscheduled deliveries.
- A mask and gloves should be worn at all times while handling and packaging the kits.
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT GROUPVOLUNTEEREVENTS@DOWNTOWNWOMENSCENTER.ORG
Snack Pack Instructions
Snack Packs are essential to the women we serve at DWC. They allow us to ensure that participants have a nutritious snack or meal before leaving the Day Center. Many of our programs and services have expanded due to COVID-19, and we are now providing 800 to-go meals daily! The menu items below include enough ingredients to create 100 Snack Packs that can be shipped or delivered to DWC, but you can adjust the quantities as desired.
♥ Please make sure to handle all items while wearing gloves and a mask!
♥ Consider adding a personalized note of encouragement or inspiration to make your snack packs extra special!
♥ Click here to download a PDF of these instructions!
1. MAIN COURSE (choose 1)
OPTION A: TUNA SALAD SANDWICHES
Shopping list: 45 cans of tuna, 1-2 large jars light mayonnaise, 6 heads of romaine lettuce, 11 tomatoes, approx. 10 loaves of whole wheat/flax seed bread (depending on size), salt, pepper
Directions: Combine tuna and mayonnaise (season with salt and pepper as needed). Slice tomatoes and lettuce. Portion approx. 1-2 scoops of tuna onto each sandwich, topped with tomato and lettuce slices. Write the preparation date on the bag or box.
OPTION B: CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES
Shopping list: 45 cans of chicken breast, 1-2 large jars light mayonnaise, 6 heads of romaine lettuce, 11 tomatoes, approx. 10 loaves of whole wheat/flax seed bread (depending on size), salt, pepper
Directions: Combine chicken and mayonnaise (season with salt and pepper as needed). Slice tomatoes and lettuce. Portion approx. 1-2 scoops of tuna onto each sandwich, topped with tomato and lettuce slices. Write the preparation date on the bag or box.
OPTION C: PITA SALAD SANDWICHES
Shopping list: 100 whole wheat pitas, 100 individual containers of hummus, approx. 13 bags of salad greens, 15 tomatoes, 10 cucumbers, 9 red onions
Directions: Chop and combine all vegetables. Fill each pita with hummus and vegetable mixture. Package pitas in plastic wrap or plastic bags, and write the preparation date.
OPTION D: PB&J SANDWICHES
Shopping list: 7 jars of natural peanut butter (not homogenized), 7 jars of jelly, approx. 10 loaves of whole wheat/flax seed bread (depending on size)
Directions: Spread peanut butter and jelly on each sandwich in equal parts. Write the preparation date on the bag or box.
OPTION E: VEGETABLE SALADS
Shopping list: 20 bags of lettuce, 12 tomatoes, 12 cucumbers, 12 red onions, 7 cans of garbanzo beans, 5 packages of feta cheese, 4 bottles of Greek dressing
Directions: Chop and combine all vegetables along with beans, cheese, and dressing. Assemble individual salads in to-go containers found in most supermarkets. Make sure to include utensils and write the preparation date on the bag or box.
2. Fruit Serving (CHOOSE 1)
- 100 pieces of seasonal fruit, like pears, oranges, apples, grapefruits, grapes (approx. 13 bunches), etc.
- 100 cups of applesauce (no sugar added) with 100 spoons
***Please refrain from using individually packaged fruit cups!
3. Beverage
100 units of (choose one):
- Water
- 100% juice packs
- Small containers of milk, seltzer, or tomato juice
***Please, no sodas, juice drinks, or other high-sugar beverages!
4. Other Snack (CHOOSE 1-2)
- 100 small packages of nuts
- 100 packages of trail mix (or separated into 100 Ziploc bags)
- 100 granola bars
- 100 cups of sugar-free Jell-O (requires additional spoon)
- 200-300 sugar-free or low-fat cookies, divided into 100 individual bags
- 100 cups of yogurts (requires additional spoon)
- 100 boxes of raisins
- 100 pieces of string cheese
- 8-10 large bags of mini carrots and/or 8-10 heads of celery, divided into 100 individual packs
5. Packaging
Delivery & Drop-Off Options
Email us to schedule a contactless drop-off at GroupVolunteerEvents@DowntownWomensCenter.org
Toiletry Kit* Instructions
*Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community, we are currently full of toiletry kits and will not be able to accept any until mid-January 2023.
Toiletry Kits are equally essential to the women we serve at DWC. We are continuing to provide showers in our Day Center at this time, but our kits of essential toiletry items are running low. You can help!
♥ Toiletry Kits must include all items in the first column.
♥ Please ensure all toiletry items are travel-sized.
♥ Please note that we we are able to accept pre-packaged and unused items, ONLY, due to the heightened vulnerability of our community to COVID-19.
♥ Please make sure to handle all items while wearing gloves and a mask!
♥ Consider adding a personalized note of encouragement or inspiration to make your toiletry kits extra special!
1. REQUIRED ITEMS
Include all:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Lotion
- Body wipes
- Fresh socks
- Toothpaste
2. Optional Items
Include as many as you like:
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Washcloth
- Comb or small brush
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Q-tip swabs
- Band-aids
- Hair elastics
3. PACKAGING
Delivery & Drop-Off Options
Click here to schedule a contactless drop-off
OR
Ship your completed Toiletry Kits to:
Attn: Day Center — Ms. Shirley
Downtown Women’s Center
442 S. San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Clean Home Kit Instructions
Clean Home Kits provide DWC residents with essential cleaning supplies as they move from homelessness into housing. Your thoughtful contribution will help these women create a safe space that they can call home. There are three different kinds of kits you can make: general cleaning kits, kitchen cleaning kits, and laundry kits.
♥ Please ensure to include all items under your list of choice.
♥ Please note that we are able to accept pre-packaged and unused items, ONLY, due to the heightened vulnerability of our community to COVID-19.
♥ Please make sure to handle all items while wearing gloves and a mask!
♥ Consider adding a personalized note of encouragement or inspiration to make your kits extra special!
1. OPTION 1: CLEAN HOME KITS (INCLUDE ALL):
- All-purpose disinfectant
- Windex
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Garbage bags
- Dust pan & brush
- Dusting cloths
2. Option 2: Clean Kitchen Kits (INCLUDE ALL):
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Dish towel
- Hand soap
- Garbage bags
- Lysol spray
3. OPTION 3: CLEAN CLOSET KITS (INCLUDE ALL):
- Laundry detergent
- Collapsible laundry basket
- Fabric softener
- Dryer sheets
- Hangers
4. PACKAGING:
Delivery & Drop-Off Options
Click here to schedule a contactless drop-off
OR
Ship your completed Clean Home Kits to:
Attn: Day Center — Ms. Shirley
Downtown Women’s Center
442 S. San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013