What Goes Into a Homeless Essential Kit — and Why Tents Matter in Salt Lake City

01 Nov What Goes Into a Homeless Essential Kit — and Why Tents Matter in Salt Lake City

A homeless essential kit built by I’m a Human Foundation centers on three things: shelter, warmth, and basic hygiene — delivered as a tent, cold-weather clothing, and a hygiene kit, directly to someone living on the streets of Salt Lake City. Here’s what goes into that kit and why each piece matters.

Why “essential kits” are the core of the outreach model

I’m a Human Foundation was established in 2014 around a simple idea: get the things someone needs to get through the next stretch directly into their hands, with zero judgment attached. The foundation has distributed 15,670 donated items to date under that model — tents, clothing, and basic kits provided straight to people experiencing homelessness rather than filtered through paperwork or eligibility requirements.

Tents, blankets, and cold-weather clothing explained

A tent is shelter, and shelter is the first thing someone sleeping outside needs. Layered on top of that, warm coats, blankets, and sturdy socks are what keep a person through a cold night once they have somewhere to be. These three — tent, layers, and socks — are consistently the items this foundation provides most.

Hygiene and other practical items

Beyond shelter and warmth, a kit includes basic hygiene and daily-use items: things like soap, a toothbrush, and hand sanitizer that let someone maintain a basic level of dignity and health day to day. These are small items individually, but they’re part of what makes a kit useful rather than just a pile of donations.

Why Salt Lake City’s climate makes tents especially urgent

Utah winters bring real cold and snow, which is exactly the condition a tent and warm layers are built to handle. That seasonal swing is why I’m a Human Foundation keeps asking for tents and cold-weather gear specifically — a summer-weight sleeping bag or a tent with a broken pole doesn’t help much once temperatures drop.

How individual and community donations become a finished kit

Every kit starts as a donation from someone who decided to help — a tent from one person, a coat from another, hygiene items from a local drive. I’m a Human Foundation combines what comes in and gets it out to people on the street in Salt Lake City. If you have gently used cold-weather gear, a usable tent, or new hygiene items, those are exactly the kinds of donations that become a kit.

How to know what’s needed most before you donate

Because needs shift with the seasons and with what’s already on hand, the most useful step before donating is to reach out to I’m a Human Foundation directly. A quick message confirms what’s needed right now, so your donation goes straight into a kit instead of sitting in storage. For a broader rundown of specific items worth gathering, see our guide on what to donate for Salt Lake City’s homeless.

Simple ways to start contributing this week

You can help in three ways: donate items like tents, warm clothing, or hygiene products; give funds through the donations page, which go toward building more kits; or volunteer your time by visiting the volunteer page. Every tent, coat, and kit started with someone deciding to help — that can be you this week.