Thanks all. I think that the kids will like packing up treat bags. I was going to use those clear treat bags like party favors come in.I still have a bunch from our last holiday.

Thanks for the ideas! I love the book idea :)! They do a school supply drive every year. But maybe fun supplies like cute erasers, pencils, etc.

So our 4H club has a monthly community service project. We have gathered items for a local small food bank before. This place is just shelves and they allow clients to pick items to fill a box. I noticed some families with kids last time we were there. (They will not let us volunteer, already checked, no one under 18, even with parents there). We asked the food bank how we could help from "afar" and they said "anything you do will be great". So my kids suggested that there was nothing "Fun" for the kids to pick out. And suggested about making "treat bags" to pass out to kids who come with their families. Maybe some candy/gum, fruit chews, stickers, crayons, etc. Anyone seen something like this done at a food bank??? Would this be a logistical nightmare??? They way it is set up in the building, I could see the "cashier" person who packs their box as they bring items up, keeping it behind the counter and passing it out as kids leave. We will still be doing other drives, but the kids want to do some more "hands on" things after our meetings each month. Like one time they are diying dog toys for the local animal shelter from old tshirts.

No that was just how I saw it scrolling through.... I think it's time for new glasses.... darn tiny screens....

Please tell me I am not the only one who kept scrolling past this reading " What are your Labor Day pains?" <insert emoji of me rofl> and thinking what an odd way to phrase a question about our labor experiences!!! But to the actual ?, nothing...school as usual.

Rock painting? Button jewelry, maybe in team colors? You can order lots of certain colored buttons off ebay. No sew t-shirt totes. Mugs decorated with sharpies then baked (or some use mod podge, the one for dishes)

I was thinking of chocolate bars, I have a sam's club membership so I can get their big boxes...... or maybe their cupcakes. I agree about the coupons. My kids only used a few of those we got from the summer reading program (mainly the ones that did not require any other purchase, like the donut shop).

ahhh.. if they are specialty tools, those I would look for someone in the trade who might want to make an offer or the trade school idea. I was thinking typical mechanics tools, you know, the basics. I had to deal with tons of electronics equipment/computer parts. My parents owned a large computer sales/repair company and when my dad passed suddenly, I was left with a walk out basement full of stuff. I advertised it as a lot sale and someone who had just finished training as a tech came a bought everything. Could I have gotten more if I did it piecemeal? Maybe, but I was on a timeline to settle the estate.

I dealt with some of this, my only 3 living relatives (mom, dad and gma), all passed within <24 months of each other and I was left to deal with 2 households worth of stuff at the age of 21. My advice? Pull out what you want to keep, pack what you can do without right now (maybe put in storage) and then auction or estate sale. I recently heard this advise somewhere (can't remember) to "get what you want to keep" instead of "getting rid of stuff". I am trying to get hubby to do this right now in the garage, put a tarp in the middle walk around and only put on the tarp the things he really wants to keep. Then get rid of everything else, without going through it. Like if you like this set of wrenches, great, stop digging through the pile to "see what other wrenches" he might have. It's not like he uses the tools daily or even weekly. Where I lived at the time (and only being 21 and this was early internet days, so no craigslist, etc), I did a month long "house" sale. I advertised everywhere, libraries, etc. I had already packed up the items I wanted to keep and stored them in one room and locked it off, all else was for sale, including the cars. But that took a lot of time and energy, hey, I was young and not working. I did hire a friend for a couple days and paid her some $. For your situation, I would absolutely do an estate sale. THey have their own way of advertising and their own regulars. Tools here sell like hotcakes in estate sales. And do take breaks. I would close early some days and go grab dinner with a friend or see a movie.

google "women's diamond print bomber jacket" I found some similar on ebay and amazon.

Yes, I was trying to avoid the typical prizes. I found 4H plastic tumblers for .70 each, which I might fill with candy for 1 meeting. I used to go to local stores for a non-profit when I ran a tutoring program with them. Maybe I will do the same here. I'll email my club leader to get the 4H documents for the tax-exempt stuff. Maybe Joann's would help as they sponsor 4H.

Sharpies... good idea... leads me to think art supplies in general....

Yes, I have that tab open now LOL. I am hoping they'll have another coupon sale again soon.... Have you ordered any of the "small" items? Are they good quality, pencils, pens etc?

Can you guys help me think of low cost prizes for my 4H club to hand out for "Record Book" checks? So Record Books are basically a journal or log of their work on 4H projects. This year I am in charge of record books and to encourage kids to keep up with them rather than waiting till the end of the year to fill them out (from memory, hahahaha), we are going to meet 3-4x during the year and help them and review any spots missing, etc. I want to do prizes for those who come with their book up to date. (At the end of the year we will do a pizza party for anyone who hands in a completed record book.) I was thinking to stop by the local McDs and see if they have those coupons for free ice cream cone still??? Any other suggestions?? We have kids ages 9-17, about 16 of them, no allergies in the group, some vegetarians. I don't mind some candy (sure the kids would love it). But I was looking for maybe non-food ideas??? Thanks!!

Thanks techwife, that is what I thought about, liability. And I added tea bags, honey and other sweeteners. Also those single serve instant coffee packs....

Ok so question: Would you put basic 1st aid items, like bandaids, antibiotic creams, anti-itch creams, antacids??? Or not??? I assume most are on medicare, but I know in CA on private insurance OTC items are not covered. Thanks!!

Thanks all, more good ideas! I thought of those microwave pasta pouches. Simple and right size for 1 or 2.

Thanks all! Keep them coming. I will start typing up a list .

I thought you all might help me come up with a list. The senior center my son volunteers to teach at has a little pantry for food items and personal care items that they open after the free lunch they serve. I noticed it last time we were there. I think they limit seniors to 1 bag, but to be honest, shelves were kind of bare. I will ask the lady we work with if she has a list of most requested items, but I thought you all might help me get one started. I was thinking things like individual oatmeal packets, tuna packets, small things of cookies, crackers, small jars PB, jelly, lotions, bar soap maybe ???? I seem to have brain freeze...........help! LOL Thanks!!!

I love these sort of challenges, so I put some ideas in color above! I'll post more later if I think of any.

Lol! Glad to help.

I would look at refurbished on ebay. I have bought several off there, Reading the specs of photoshop (I used adobe illustrator before), I would look for a quad core, 8gb ram laptop with windows 10 and at least a 500gb hd. I say quad core so it will last longer. I would not go below 8gb of ram. The hard drive you could go lower and she uses cloud storage if needed. I was thinking to get a chromebook, but decided not to because no parental controls really. I mean you can block sites, etc. But no time limits, etc. Plus I'm not sure a chromebook would do what you are wanting. Here's one for $240: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fast-Lenovo-X230-13-Windows-10-Home-Laptop-Quad-Core-i7-2-9GHz-8GB-RAM-500GB-HD/253685835754?hash=item3b10daa7ea%3Ag%3Ak-AAAOSwlHJbNTZA&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_nkw=quad+core+8gb+ram+windows+10+laptop&amp;_from=R40&amp;rt=nc&amp;_trksid=m570.l1313 This is only dual core and should work: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-8460P-14-Laptop-Windows-10-Dual-Core-i5-2-5Ghz-8GB-RAM-320GB-HD-WiFi/352148705700?epid=140701013&amp;hash=item51fdb2d1a4%3Ag%3AFC4AAOSw1ZBUwAgt&amp;_sop=15&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_nkw=i5+8gb+ram+windows+10+laptop&amp;LH_BIN=1&amp;_from=R40&amp;rt=nc&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0#viTabs_0

I make it in a rice cooker by 1st sauteing onion, bell pepper, dump that in rice cooker, then add rice, then add my liquid which is diluted enchilada sauce, so for 2 cups rice, I need 4c water in my cooker, so I would use a small can enchilada sauce and add water to make 4 c. Done.

Various rice "pilafs" reheat well and are simple to reheat. I saute the fragarant veges: onion, garlic, bell peppers, spicy peppers, etc. Add in meat or beans (pre boiled or canned, drained) or lentils. Then add rice and saute. Then add liquid. Cover, cook on low. Combos: bell peppers, onion, tomato, black beans, zucchini, rice, use a small can of enchilada sauce +water for the liquid. Can add chicken or g beef. Onions cooked till browned, remove some for a topping later, deglaze pan with a bit of water, add lentils and rice, saute, then add seasoning and water. Cook on low, top with crispy fried onions and serve with yogurt on the side and green salad. Saute ground beef with spices ( allspice, cinnamon, pepper, cloves) add drained garbanzo beans, add rice, season, then add water and cook on low. Serve with salad, can toast almonds or pine nuts to top.

Yes most international travelers arrive with US money, but I mentioned change, as I could get nothing smaller than a $20, and even those they only gave me like 5. So maybe offering to stop so he can pick up some things or get change for vending machines.