International Relief Friendship Foundation

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How to Prepare a Gift of the Heart

Essential items are urgently needed to help disaster survivors reclaim their homes and rebuild their lives. Christian Disaster Response and IRFF are working together to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of the people and communities hardest hit by disaster.

There are six (6) different types of “Gifts of the Heart” kits that you can create. Choose to create one type or, if you can, create two or more different kits. Whichever kit you decide to give, you will be communicating that you are thinking of your neighbors who have suffered from the disaster.

We are currently distributing recovery kits throughout areas in Florida. 

Health Kit

  • Hand towel
  • Comb
  • Washcloth
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste (4-7 oz)
  • Nail file
  • New bath-size bar soap
  • Band-Aids (6)
  • After-shave lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Razors
  • Facial tissues

Kitchen Utensils Kit

  • Metal tea kettle
  • Metal cooking pots (1&3 qt. w/lids)
  • Metal 12″ skillet w/lid
  • Spatula
  • Can Opener (hand held)
  • Dish washing detergent (16 oz. plastic bottle)
  • Paper napkins (large package)
  • Salt & pepper shakers (non-breakable)
  • Dish towels, pot holders, sponges (2 each)
  • Large serving spoons (3)
  • Durable plastic plates, bowls, and cups (4 each)
  • Stainless steel eating utensils (4 sets)

Bedding Kit

  • 2 new or like-new flat sheets and pillow cases

  • 2 new pillows

Clean-up Kit

  • A 5 gallon size bucket (with lid) filled with:
  • Sponges
  • Wire brush
  • Plastic trash bags
  • Scrub brush
  • Rubber gloves
  • Lysol-type disinfectant (32 oz.)
  • Plastic bottle

Food Staples Kit

  • Box of iodized salt
  • Cooking oil (32 oz. plastic bottle)
  • Canned or corned beef (12 oz.)
  • Canned tuna or chicken (12 oz.)
  • Granulated sugar (1 lb. box)
  • Powdered milk (4 lb. box)
  • Pepper (8 oz. can)
  • Instant coffee (8 oz.)
  • Tea bags (box of 25)
  • Dry beans (4 lb. bag)
  • White rice (5 lb. bag)

Medicine Cabinet Kits

  • Adult pain reliever (e.g. Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen)
  • Children’s pain reliever (Chewable Tylenol)
  • Adult multiple vitamins (One-A Day)
  • Children’s multiple vitamins (Flintstones)
  • Antacid (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox)
  • Hydrogen peroxide in plastic bottle
  • Antibiotic or first-aid cream (Neosporin, Triple Antibiotic Ointment)
  • Assorted Band-Aids (1 box)

After packing your “Gift of the Heart” recovery kit in a sturdy box and taping it securely (one per box for the larger kits), we invite you to enclose a personal note: “A Christian Disaster Response/IRFF ‘Gift of the Heart,’ sent with love and prayers, from [your name, church, or organization].” On the side of the box, please indicate the kind of kit enclosed.

**Please note that the listed amounts are a suggested minimum. If you wish to pack a larger amount for a kit, you are free to do so. The listed materials for each kit have been determined and improved by disaster agencies nationwide over the last 20 years.

Where To Send Your Kit

If it is a single kit box, please send to:

Christian Disaster Response
P.O. Box 3339
Winter Haven, Florida 33885-3339

If it is a larger shipment of kits, please send to:

Network for Better Nutrition
1902 Barton Park Road, #205
Auburndale, FL 33823