I was talking to my mom to get her perspective on what she really needed as a woman & mother with kids when we were unsheltered & told her about the survival packs we’re working on.

She looks me dead in the eye & goes, “Either do this generously or don’t do it at all.”

She spoke about how often charity organizations mistreat the unhoused, especially unhoused women of color, & give the most low-quality goods that barely last more than a few days.

She reminded me that quality over quantity is a principle for a reason.

And then lays out which products are necessary, which brands are low-priced but good quality (they last), which items are safe out in the heat & which can go bad in 1-2 days.

She was leaning heavily toward the idea of getting tents, because they’re extremely useful.

It’s one thing to want to help the unhoused, it’s another thing entirely to ask them what they want & what they need, & then get that for them.

The homeless, & the poor beyond, are just as deserving of good quality things as anyone else.

Don’t skimp out on respecting that.