Supporting Homeless
Dedicated to helping those that want to stay homeless in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island NY. Our mission is to help homeless stay comfortable where you are, no questions asked until your ready to get off the streets.
Homeless Hacks
Stay Safe and Prepared
This tree fell on a homeless man's tent, during a windy rain storm. thank God he left the woods and hung out somewhere else till the storm passed.
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Stay Hydrated: Water is the best and safest drink. Make it your go-to choice to stay cool in summer and warm in winter.
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We Care & Want to Help: If you're struggling with homelessness and ready for a change, call us, or Click here.
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Know Your Resources: Review our available assistance and find out what support we have for you.
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Have a Backup Plan: Tent sites can be removed or disrupted by towns or individuals, so it’s important to always have an alternative location in mind.
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Prepare a bug-out bag in case you need to leave your site quickly. It’s a good idea to stash it at your backup location and include essentials like a small tent. One of our homeless friends keeps four bug-out bags stored in different towns — a smart way to stay prepared for the unexpected.
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Protect Your Valuables: Keep important items with you at all times.
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Secure Your Identification: Make copies of essential documents and store them online or with a trusted person. Carry only what you need daily.
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Need Supplies? If you need blankets, a tent, a bivy bag, space blanket, bible, back pack, or tarp call or text us.
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If you're camping in the woods, it's important to check the health of the trees where you plan to set up your tent. Look for signs of rot, bark damage, or other weaknesses. You can also Google the type of tree to see if it has deep roots — deep-rooted trees are less likely to fall during strong winds or heavy rain.
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Always avoid setting up near dead trees or under dead branches, as they can pose a serious hazard.
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Walmart app has a flip trac phone refurbished for $10, and monthly service for as low as $15 a month
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Optimum has free wi-fi for emergencies, the connection is good for one hour, then you just reconnect . Optimum has millions of Wi-fi hotspots to see a map click here.
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Know where food pantries are in your area. Click here
Space Blankets
A space blanket, also known as a Mylar or emergency blanket, can be incredibly useful as a ground layer when sleeping outdoors, especially in survival situations. When placed under the body, it acts as a barrier against the cold, damp ground by reflecting body heat upward and preventing heat loss through conduction. This helps retain warmth and improve overall comfort during sleep. Additionally, space blankets are lightweight, compact, waterproof, and wind-resistant, making them ideal for emergency use by individuals experiencing homelessness, campers, or anyone caught in harsh weather conditions. Their durability and insulation properties can mean the difference between staying warm or facing hypothermia.
Homeless Long Island always have space blankets available, If you are homeless in Nassau or Suffolk counties Contact us about getting one free by clicking here.
To donate space blankets visit our Amazon wish list by clicking below.
Toilet Hack
How to make a tent with a 10x10 tarp
Real easy tent set up, if you have a tarp or a thick piece of plastic at least 10x10, you can put up a tent.
Cool Hacks That Help
How to make a hammock with a sheet or blanket and rope. Put a tarp over it for shelter.
How to make a poncho and or sleeping bag out of trash bag.
How to boil water in a paper cup
How to boil water in any form of paper, as long as it can hold water you can boil it.
Other Ways to Shelter
Warning don't sleep in the dumpster, you could die or get seriously injured.
If you find a dumpster with a lid and the owner of the store lets you sleep behind it, you can open the lid to protect yourself from the elements.
Police say 2 men were inside dumpster emptied into garbage truck; 1 dead
What this homeless person did was flip a discarded couch over, threw a tarp over it, and used the couch cushions as a mattress.
Rocket stove the fastest most low profile fire you can make, you only need small branches.
The rocket stove you can make with just about anything, here are a few proven ideas, as you can see the principle is the same, what we like about the rocket stove is no more hunting cutting and splitting firewood, all you need is small sticks easily broken by hand. this is also a low profile low smoke and low flame, heat source.
It’s important to be aware not all stones should be used to make a fire pit, they can crack and explode and send off particles.
A good way to stay warm is to heat up some stones in your fire, and bury them under where you will sleep.
Cook or heat using coffee can and toilet paper roll
This is a real easy and cheap stove-heater to make, all you need is a one pound empty coffee can or one quart paint can, a cheap roll of toilet paper, and rubbing alcohol. You can get these items in food pantries or dollar stores.
Proceed with caution, heating, or cooking with rubbing alcohol is dangerous.
Heating with candles
You can heat your enclosure using candles and an empty food or coffee can of any size. Candles can be purchased at any dollar store. To create a simple heater, take an empty food can and use a can opener or knife to poke holes in the sides for ventilation. Light a candle and place the can over it. For added warmth and humidity, take another can, fill it with water, and place it on top of the first can. The candle's heat will warm the water, creating moisture in the air. If you use drinkable water, you can enhance its use by collecting pine needles from a nearby pine tree to make tea.
Stay Cool Hack
Have an old broken fan that doesn't work? you can make a no electricity self propelling fan.
Rodents, Racoons, Mosquitos, flying Roaches.
This is an encampment where the garbage and trash laying all around the tent
Garbage and trash attract all kinds of animals and rodents
Termite riddled wood is a great to burn to repel mosquito
This is an encampment where the garbage and trash laying all around the tent
You'll never completely stop these pests, but you can control them.
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Look at the pictures above—you’ll see exactly what not to do. This isn’t a tent city; one person lives here, but when his tent becomes uninhabitable, he just sets up another one. See in the slide show the picture of three cans that were opened by raccoons. Garbage attracts, raccoons, rats, mice, flying roaches and squirrels. Any item that holds water, even a bottle cap, becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The more trash, the more pests., and rodents, raccoons and mice will chew holes in your tent if food is stored in their. Keeping your campsite clean is the best way to protect yourself and reduce pesky intruders.
Smart Hacks to Keep Rodents, Raccoons, Mosquitoes, and Flying Roaches Away
Mosquito Control: Burn termite-ridden wood in your fire (see slide show to see pictures of what termite ravaged wood looks like)—the smoke from mosquito excrement acts as a natural repellent. Raccoon prevention: Never leave food in your tent—raccoons will chew through to get it. Keep your campsite clean, bag all trash properly, and dispose of it in a dumpster. The best way to store food is in a sealed five-gallon bucket, suspended from a tree branch with a rope. Mice Prevention: A clean campsite is key. Keep food sealed and remove trash. Flying Roaches: Yes, they’re real! Avoid setting up camp near food stores or dumpsters, and always keep your site tidy.
Tim was homeless for six years—listen to his advice on raccoons. This isn’t just thinking outside the box; it’s real experience. While his methods are helpful, you still need to take action to keep raccoons under control.
Food Hacks
How to open up a can of food by rubbing the top of the can on a rock, side walk, or street.
How to open up a can of food with a spoon.
Free Pizza
Many pizza restaurants have leftover pizza at the end of the night. Try visiting a local pizza place about 15 minutes before closing and politely ask if they have any extra slices they can give you. Its advisable to look as presentable as possible before approaching a store owner or manager .
Dollar store best deals.
DOLLAR TREE, FAMILY DOLLAR, DOLLAR GENERAL.
The best deals at the dollar stores is when they throw away the expired non perishables, you'll be surprised how many people dumpster dive at the dollar stores.
Bagels free
Bagel shops often have leftover bagels at the end of the day. Many food pantries arrange for volunteers to pick them up for those in need, and it's common for bagel shops to leave one or two large bags behind the store for this purpose. For insurance reasons, they may not always hand them out directly, but you can kindly ask the owner or manager if they can set a few aside for you.
Portable Camping Shower Outdoor Camp Shower Pump, Rechargeable Outdoor Shower Head Sprayer with Digital Display, Rechargeable Electric Shower Pump for Camping Travel Car Washing (Blue 1pcs+Brush)
Helpful Blogs
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Here's what you need to know about bed bugs. Click here
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Are you homeless? Here are some ideas to get rid of rodents in your sleeping area. Click here
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Homeless Individuals Living in the woods, and first time camping, hacks. Click here
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How to deal with Raccoons in your encampment. Click here
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Foraging for wild edibles on Long Island, NY, can be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to start carefully and with the right knowledge. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started: Click here
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The BIVY Bag, Understanding BIVY Bags: Uses, Benefits, and Disadvantages. Click here
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Pros and cons of using propane heaters in tents and vans and heating a tent in winter. Click here
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HOW TO STAY WARM! Are you homeless in the winter time? What fluids you should drink and what should you avoid? Click here