Regarding homelessness

FOOD

• Find your nearest food bank or mission, for food
• grocery stores with free samples, bakeries + stores with day-old bread
• different fast food outlets have cheaper food and will generally let you hang out for a while.
• some dollar stores carry food like cans of beans or fruit

SHELTER

• Sleeping at beaches during the day is a good way to avoid suspicion and harassment
• sleep with your bag strapped to you, so someone can’t steal it
• Some churches offer short term residence
• Find your nearest homeless shelter
• Look for places that are open to the public
• A large dumpster near a wall can often be moved so that flipping up the lids creates an angled shelter to stay dry

HYGIENE

• A membership to the YMCA is usually only 10$, which has a shower, and sometimes laundry machines and lockers.
• Public libraries have bathrooms you can use
• Dollar stores carry low-end soaps and deodorant etc.
• Wet wipes are all purpose and a life saver
• Local beaches, go for a quick swim
• Some truck stops have showers you can pay for
• Staying clean is the best way to prevent disease, and potentially get a job to get back on your feet
• Pack 7 pairs of socks/undies, 2 outfits, and one hooded rain jacket

OTHER

• first aid kit
•  sunscreen
•  a travel alarm clock or watch
•  mylar emergency blanket
•  a backpack is a must
•  downgrade your cellphone to a pay as you go with top-up cards
•  sleeping bag
•  travel kit of toothbrush, hair brush/comb, mirror
•  swiss army knife
•  can opener