Providing Essentials

Essential items to collect or create.

Join Love Columbia in helping to provide children, families, and individuals in need with essential items. We rely on the generosity of community members and organizations to host drives and create kits to help love people forward.

Ready to get in touch with us about making kits?
Email volunteer@lovecolumbia.org

Daily Essentials

Love Columbia works with clients in a variety of situations. To support our clients with daily essentials, consider hosting an essentials drive or purchasing items from the following list or directly from our Amazon wishlist:

  • Laundry Detergent

  • Dish Soap

  • Toilet Paper

  • Body Wash

  • Shampoo/Conditioner

  • All Purpose Spray

  • Window Cleaner

  • Grocery store gift cards – Walmart, Aldi, Hyvee, Gerbes, etc.

Bedtime Kit

This kit provides children with hygiene essentials, a bedtime activity and something comforting for bedtime.

  • Kids toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Hand soap

  • Face wash

  • Bedtime story books

  • Stuffed animal OR fuzzy throw blanket

Pillow and pillowcase (in which everything is put)

Birthday Kit

This kit gives a family the opportunity and means to make a birthday celebration meaningful and fun.

Clear plastic bin with lid: Sterilite 12 Quart storage boxes outside dimensions: 16 7/8" x 11 1/2" x 5 7/8"

  • Cake mix

  • Icing with sprinkles

  • Candles

  • Balloons

  • Bright disposable table cloth

  • Small disposable plates

  • Plasticware and napkins

  • Simple decoration items (example-streamers, etc.)

  • A gift card for $25 or less (optional)

Home Starter Cleaning Kit

This kit provides cleaning supplies for families to keep their living space clean and safe.

10-quart cleaning bucket (in which everything is put)

  • Sponge Mop

  • Toilet Brush

  • Trash

  • Dish Sponge

  • Scrub Brush

  • Disposable Gloves

  • All Purpose cleaning spray

  • Small broom and dust pan

  • Two microfiber towels

  • Disinfecting wipes

  • Toilet bowl cleaner

Household Box (Family of 4)

This box provides families with household items to support them going through housing changes.

A sturdy cardboard box or plastic container to hold all items: New or Gently Used

  • Coffee Mugs

  • Silverware

  • Sauce Pot

  • Knife Set

  • Dish Towels

  • Hot Pads

  • Mixing Bowls

  • Cutting Board

  • Cooking Sheet

  • Pizza Pan

  • Cooking Utensils

  • Casserole Dish (if available)

  • Dinner Plates

  • Drinking Glasses

  • Small juice glasses

  • Measuring cups & spoons

  • Non-electric can opener

  • Plastic storage container

  • Skillet (at least 1 and 2 for larger families)

Meals for Families

Conversation Jar

Blankets

  • Hats and Gloves

  • Meal Gift Cards

  • Diapers Size 3-6

  • Pop Top Foods

  • Bibles

  • Winter Car Kit (Scrapper, brush, etc)

  • Amazon Wishlist

Other Beneficial Drives

Ready to get in touch with us about making kits? Email volunteer@lovecolumbia.org