Hi S.,
Even though homeless shelters and the like can be kind of scary and uncomfortable to be in at first, they really are pretty harmless, especially during the day.
Things might startle the kids-- homeless shelters are often occupied by those with mental illnesses. So it's possible that they might see people talking to someone who isn't there, or hear someone start to shout for apparent reason. And even though the people will generally be clean, you'd have to prepare them to see a few who are really dirty, and smell pretty bad.
We've taken our kids a few times and nothings ever happened. For the most part, it's just people sitting or walking around. You'd be in the public areas of the shelter anyway, so there would always be workers and volunteers around.
There are shelters that I'd consider "less threatening".
Kansas City Restart would be a good place to go. It's mostly geared toward homeless families, rather than individuals-- though I believe there were some there. So that would give your children the opportunity to witness otherwise normal children who are in such a horrible circumstance.
It's at 918 E. Ninth St. in the city. ###-###-####. It's a good idea to call ahead, no matter where you decide to go. They might have "drop-off" times.
Honestly, I've never gone by myself-- I've always gone with my church's women's group called The Relief Society. And you might want to do the same. This last time, we just planned a little Sunday devotional- told Bible stories- you know- Noah's Ark, Daniel in the Lion's Den, etc. We had some activities for the kids, sang some songs and served refreshments. And we all brought our children to play and sing with the kids who were there. We also took some gift baskets filled with toiletries-- shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs,etc.
You might want to consider doing something along those lines-- either with a church group, or even just some friends and their kids. Things as simple as some crayons, markers, and coloring books or plain paper would be great. In fact-- since your kids didn't want to give up their toys, you could pick up some coloring books and crayons at a dollar store, and give them those.
The good thing about taking a few other people with you, is it'll will make you feel more comfortable, as well as the kids. But more important, your combined efforts will do more good-- more people, more donations. You'll have 5 or 6 people bringing toys and things, instead of just you. And if you stay awhile and actually socialize with them, let the kids color with the other kids, play, etc, it helps you to have a greater love and compassion for them, and will do the same for your children, as opposed to just dropping stuff off. -- That's needed, too. So don't misunderstand, these places can use all the help they can get. But putting a personality to the faces makes for a more rewarding experience.
When your children sit and color, or make paper airplanes with 6 year old "Bobby", and they talk and goof around-- then your kids get in their car and go home, THEIR home, where they have their own beds, a fridge full of food, a room full of toys, a dresser full of clothes, and you remind them that Bobby is still back at the shelter without all those things, hoping that someone will come and give him those things, otherwise he won't have them-- it has a greater impact on them than if they just walk in, drop something off, and walk out-- without meeting "Bobby" and seeing that he's just like them, only without all the blessings that THEY have.
I think you're idea to help them be less greedy is a great one!! Go for it!
T.
