I have had a few thoughts lately, that while not relating to apersonal EDC or such, does make one think.

While I cannot hope to solve the problem of homelessness, (and it is a real problem here in Portland, OR), I got to thinking, if one wanted to assist such folks, what kind of a kit could one put together to help these people? Of course, solving homelessness would be the ideal answer, but barring that, could a person put together a basic kit, say in a small inexpensive pack, that would help alleviate the everyday concerns a homeless person might have?

They would not of course have to think about things like snaring dinner or catching fish. Even fire building would probably be out of the question since there aren't many places to build a fire (or you would want them to) in the city. But the basic precept of "surviving" would still pertain.

Here are my intital thoughts, and I would welcome others.

Wool watch cap
Poncho
Tarp
Blanket
Gloves
inexpensive flashlight
Bandana
Personal kit with:
shampoo
bar soap (ina plastic holder)
toothbrush & toothpaste
hairbrush
nailclippers
disposable razor
deodorant
toilet tissue
kleenex
antiseptic wipes
cooking kit with:
Bic lighter
canned heat or 36 hour nu-wick candle
stove for same
cooking pot
cup
spoon
(2) 1 liter bottles of water
small sewing kit
small first aid kit
additions:
dry soup mix
coffee singles / tea bags
sugar packs
dry creamer packs
vitamins

Everything would be of the small personal sizes and by necessity be of the inexpensive variety. Of course this would mean that they might not be number one quality, but the sheer volume of items/kits would limit what one could spend. Additionally, this package would not be heavy on food, but rather on making the "creature comforts" more obtainable so that hopefully, they could focus more on the core problem they might have.

I deliberatly left out items such as water purifiers (there are many public places to obtain potable water in the city). No snare wire, duct tape, fishhooks, whistles, signal mirrors, etc. since the idea is not "survival" as most of us think of it... but rather, easing troubled times.

Anyway, I am curious to see what others think.

For an interesting perspective on this topic you may want to read this article from the plainsmans cabin.

Another couple of threads from this forum you might want to check out

$50 exercise
and
$50 or tips for low-budget gear

since you have ruled out the true survival gear of blade, water and food procurement and fire the only categories left are consumables, hygene and shelter. Consumables are a waste of time since they will be - well, er - consumed. Unless you are setting up as a repeat business such as a soup kitchen don't bother with the consumables. That leaves us with shelter and hygene. I think that you have the basics down with the cap, poncho and sewing kit. You mentioned the sterno stove type of cook-kit. I think it might be just as useful to show these folks how to make a Photon stove, or give them one. Eitherway you are equipping them with a way to burn down the block but also to warm themselves and to heat whatever food they can find.

Kitchen / hygene kit in packaged in hobo-stove
1) a hobo stove made from a 1 # coffee can - This is made by the homeless in occupational rehab or by volunteers or by prisoners The coffee cans should be solicited from the public as a recycling thing.
2) sewing kit - $1 at the dollar store
3) mini-bic lighter - $.20 at the dollar store (package of 5)
4) "hotel bar" bar of soap - should be less than $.20 somewhere in bulk (wherever the hotels buy them)
5) toothbrush - $.20 at the dollar store -(package of 5)
6) box of Baking soda $1 at the dollar store (better than toothpaste and cheaper),
7) 1 can Large Dinty-Moore stew (this becomes the cook pot and it will be cheaper than a dedicated cookpot and it will feed them at-least once - $2.50 at the market but you could probably work a bulk buy directly from Libby (I think they make it now)
8) mini-SAK Classic knock-off will be more useful than the nail-clippers and has a scissors to cut nails - $1 at Wally-world, 9) comb (Cheaper and lighter than brush), - $.20 at Dollar store (pack of 5)
10) Bandana - $1 at Dollar store
11) Razor (Not sure this is necessary but a disposable is cheap) - $.20 in the 5 pack at the dollar store,
12) spoon (or if you can find a knock-off Campers / hobo knife combo set better) -$1 at the dollar store
That probably over-fills the Coffee can.
Total ~$9
Shelter kit in small duffle
1) duffle bag - $1 at Dollar store
2) the coffee can kitchen / Hygene kit
3) Poncho (doubles as Tarp) - $7 online Majorsurplusandsurvival.com
4) Poncho Liner(doubles as blanket) - $19 online Majorsurplusandsurvival.com
5) leather gloves - $1 at Dollar store
6) watch cap - $1 at dollar store
7) expedition weight socks $7 Online Majorsurplusandsurvival.com
8) roll of duct-tape - $1 at Dollar store
9) roll of trash-bags - $1 at Dollar Store.

Total Shelter Kit $38

Total combined $46

Much of the cost could be defrayed by asking for donations of specific items from the mfg's directly - Your tax dollars and mine will be spent either way but less will be spend in the form of tax breaks to the mfg than will be spent buying this junk at retail. Get the scouts, highschoolers, grannies, local PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. party involved in making the hobo stoves and assembling the kits.
I would also include the article on "The Joys (?) of Being Homeless" as an instruction sheet.