SAUGANASH — Vivian Sakellariou knows Chicago's homeless population often needs essentials — things like socks, bottled water and non-perishable food. But during a season when many people feel especially giving, she considered that they might benefit from non-essentials, too.
Sakellariou, a Sauganash resident who owns a home-based energy healing practice, shared photos on social media of three "self-care" packs she assembled to distribute to people she sees living on the streets during her winter travels through Chicago.
"I was making self-care products of bath salts, essential oil rollers and sprays to sell for the holidays. After completing them, I had more baggies left, [and] I thought, how can I use these?" Sakellariou said.
So she assembled bags specifically for women facing homelessness or unpredictable housing situations this winter containing things that are less survivalist, but equally important.
The bags include "feminine products, essential oils, socks, headbands, nail files, toothbrushes" and more, she said.
"I'd been cleaning and clearing out closets, drawers this weekend and had an abundance," Sakellariou said. So she "decided to put them together into these bags to give to women I encounter on the streets, especially around this time."
Sakellariou says she was inspired to bring care packages to the homeless after watching a YouTube video weeks ago that featured a little girl offering similar handouts to the homeless.
Sauganash's Vivian Sakellariou created self care packs to give out to women on the streets. [Facebook]
"It's a small gesture to put a smile on someone's face or to help someone take better self-care," she said.
Elsewhere in Chicago, survivalist-focused CityPaks were distributed in Wicker Park, Pilsen and beyond this week. The CityPaks, created by outdoor sports company High Sierra with the needs of the homeless in mind, contained essentials including socks, underwear, gloves and baby wipes.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
