Teaching your children to help others less fortunate is an important lesson that can have a profound impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. One way to instill this value in your children is by working with them to make gift bags with food and toiletries to give to panhandlers. This act of kindness can help your children develop empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards those who are less fortunate than them.

Instill and Encourage Generosity in Kids

The first step in this process is to talk to your children about the importance of helping others and why it’s necessary to do so. You can explain that some people don’t have access to the basic necessities that we take for granted, such as food, shelter, and clean water. By helping those in need, we can make a positive difference in their lives and show them that they’re not alone.

Once your children understand why helping others is important, you can work together to make gift bags that will be given to panhandlers. You can start by choosing items that are practical and useful, such as granola bars, fruit cups, water bottles, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. You can also add a personal touch by including a handwritten note or drawing from your children, expressing their empathy and kindness towards the recipients of the gift bags.

As you make the gift bags, you can talk to your children about the different experiences and circumstances that may have led the recipients to become homeless or panhandle. You can encourage your children to ask questions and learn about the issues that affect people who are less fortunate. This can help your children develop a deeper understanding of the social and economic issues that contribute to homelessness and poverty.

Once the gift bags are ready, you can take your children with you to distribute them to panhandlers in your community. This can be a meaningful experience for your children as they get to see firsthand how their actions can make a difference in someone’s life. Encourage your children to interact with the panhandlers in a respectful and compassionate manner, and to listen to their stories if they are willing to share them.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

By teaching your children to live generously and help others less fortunate, you’re not only helping to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, but you’re also instilling important values in your children that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. You’re teaching them to be empathetic, compassionate, and responsible members of society, who can make a difference in the world, one act of kindness at a time.

I have heard people say, “Don’t give to them, they are only using the money for drugs and alcohol.” And though this may be true in some instances, I say, “No matter where I am in life, I am not on a street corner or median holding a sign up asking for help.”