{"id":5649,"date":"2026-08-21T19:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=5649"},"modified":"2026-08-21T19:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:32:08","slug":"what-are-homeless-outreach-kits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-are-homeless-outreach-kits\/","title":{"rendered":"What are homeless outreach kits?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull va-page-title-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-179 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/academic-affiliations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2025\/05\/Hero2.png?w=1024\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#085795\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left\">Featured Article<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" action=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/\" class=\"wp-block-search__button-outside wp-block-search__text-button wp-block-search\"    ><label class=\"wp-block-search__label\" for=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" >Search Articles<\/label><div class=\"wp-block-search__inside-wrapper\" ><input class=\"wp-block-search__input\" id=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" placeholder=\"\" value=\"\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" required \/><button aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"wp-block-search__button wp-element-button\" type=\"submit\" >Search<\/button><\/div><\/form>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are homeless outreach kits?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #0073aa;\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-0073-aa-background-color has-background wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>By Shawn Liu, National Homeless Program Manager, VHA Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>August 21, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/category\/featured-articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured Articles<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/donations\/\" rel=\"tag\">donations<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\"> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/tag\/outreach\/\" rel=\"tag\">outreach<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/outreachkits.png\" alt=\"Team of humanitarian aid volunteer is distributing basics survival kit relief bag to the homeless people in the area\" class=\"wp-image-5651\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/outreachkits.png 1200w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/outreachkits.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/outreachkits.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/outreachkits.png?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Homeless outreach kits are designed to provide immediate, practical support and connect homeless Veterans with essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is typically included in a Veteran homeless outreach kit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-blue-with-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Necessities<\/th><th>Information and Resources<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Non-perishable food items<\/strong>&nbsp;(e.g., protein bars, canned goods with pull tabs)<br><br><strong>Bottled water<\/strong><br><br><strong>Socks and underwear<\/strong><br><br><strong>Gloves, hats, and scarves<\/strong><br><br><strong>Blankets or emergency thermal blankets<\/strong><br><br><strong>Hygiene kits&nbsp;<\/strong>(e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, razors)<br><br><strong>Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes<\/strong><br><br><strong>First aid supplies<\/strong>&nbsp;(e.g., band-aids, antiseptic wipes)&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>VA contact cards&nbsp;<\/strong>(e.g., 877-424-3838)<br><br><strong>Brochures or flyers<\/strong>&nbsp;about:<br>Local VA medical center services<br>Housing assistance programs (e.g., HUD-VASH)<br>Employment services<br>Legal aid resources<br>Mental health and substance use support<br>Transportation options<br><br><strong>Wallet cards with emergency contacts and shelter options<\/strong><br><br><strong>Other helpful items<\/strong><br>Flashlights with batteries<br>Ponchos or rain gear<br>Reusable tote bags or backpacks<br>Bus passes or transportation vouchers<br>Notebooks and pens<br>Phone charging banks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about donating outreach and move-in essentials, c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdceportal.va.gov\/donate_at_facility\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ontact your local VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group va-section-title va-section-title-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact VA for help<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #005EA2;\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-ff-5500-background-color has-background wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, we strongly encourage you to contact the <strong>National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at <a href=\"tel:+18774243838\">877-424-3838<\/a><\/strong> for assistance.<br><br>The call is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained professionals are standing by to connect you to your nearest VA for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-blue-icon-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">Chat with a live professional now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1385\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png\" alt=\"National Call Center for Homeless Veterans logo. 877-424-3838\" class=\"wp-image-5628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png 1385w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=300,130 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=768,333 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=1024,444 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1385px) 100vw, 1385px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Homeless outreach kits are designed to provide immediate, practical support and connect homeless Veterans with essential services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":5651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"priority":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[100,41],"class_list":["post-5649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles","tag-donations","tag-outreach"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-are-homeless-outreach-kits\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"What are homeless outreach 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