House to House

Fruit give away
I was surprised at the popularity of this one. People really like fresh fruit and they will readily take it. I have tried this one across the US and it has gone over great guns. An orange, an apple and a banana is enough along with a connection card in a clear plastic bag. It works well door to door.

Sunday Morning Paper and Coffee Giveaways
Purchase a number of Sunday papers, brew excellent coffee and visit your neighbors. Look for the houses that don't have a paper in the driveway but be sure you don't knock on the door too early.

Leaf Raking
"We came, we saw, we raked!"
Several people in a small group can rake an entire neighborhood on a single Saturday morning. Maybe you don't like raking your own yard; but when you're with a group of friends serving in the name of Christ, a chore becomes a joy. Many yards take only fifteen to twenty minutes to polish off.
Note: If possible go to neighborhoods where the city vacuums leaves left on the curb (some do). If you bag them, leave the bags by the curb for later pick up.

Lawn Mowing
Several mowers make mowing the lawn short work. Look for long grass, knock on the door, and go for it.

Grass Edging
If you don't have time to mow an entire lawn, edge the driveway and sidewalks. Most homeowners don't edge very often, so they are in need of it and are grateful.

Screen Cleaning
Screens will have to be removed. Apply a bit of soapy water and use a soft brush. Hose them off and reinstall. Most homeowners never do this, though it is an easy way to improve the view.

Rain Gutter Cleaning
You will need some ladders, trash bags and gloves. Messy work but very appreciated by homeowners especially in the fall.

Garbage Can Return from Street
This is one you could do for your entire street each week. Usually garbage pick up is done early in the morning. Be the first one out. Return them near their garage but do it quietly.

Food Delivery to Shut-ins
Find legitimate shut-ins in your neighborhood. Start a system with interested neighbors for a weekly hot food delivery. Keep in mind, many pre-Christians are very interested in helping others even though they don't yet know Christ. A project such as this could easily be an entry point to their hearts.

Kitchen Cleanup
Some who have been sick or depressed might need a good kitchen cleaning. Don't try this one by yourself. Two or three can clean up a super dirty kitchen on a Saturday morning.

General Yard Cleanup
After the winter weather is over, all sorts of debris become obvious. Go door to door with gloves, rakes, and trash bags.

Door-to-Door Carnation Giveaway
Carnations are affordable, and everyone likes them. This project could be done anytime, but Mother’s Day is a particularly good excuse.

Tulip Bulbs
A handful of bulbs is affordable. When they come up in years to come, that person will reflect on your act of generosity.

Potted Plant Giveaways
Marigolds and Impatiens can be purchased affordably in numbers. Mums are great in the fall. Small poinsettias are a great touch at Christmas.

Flower Seed Packet Giveaways
Give out flower seeds to celebrate Spring. Some companies offer the option of having your church name printed on the outside of the packet.

Sidewalk Sweeping
In urban areas this is a huge hit. In some communities in Europe, residents are required by law to sweep the area in front of their apartment. Why not sweep your area as well as your neighbors'?

Windshield Washing
Some years ago when we started serving, this was one of our first projects. We still do it just about every weekend. The materials list is short and inexpensive: a good squeegee, a wiping rag, a connection card, and windshield cleaner (We recommend you not use Windex style cleaner – ask your car parts store what they recommend). If it's too hot (above 85°F) or too cold (below freezing) you might end up making a dirty windshield even worse. If you are doing this at random in a parking lot, don't wash high-end cars. Their owners are unlikely to see your service as helpful. Car alarms? If you accidentally set one off, finish cleaning, and move on. We've set off plenty. They will reset themselves shortly.

Window Washing
Picture windows aren't that difficult to clean once you get the hang of using a wide squeegee. (See "Windshield Washing" for more details.)

Snow Removal from Walks and Drives
Men's groups take on their neighborhood with snow shovels and snow blowers. We go door to door explaining our project. The snow blowers aren't necessary but very helpful. Most drives and sidewalks can be finished in a matter of minutes. Be sure to bring coffee and hot chocolate for the workers.

Minor House Repairs
We usually focus this outreach on single parents and the elderly. It is important that you clarify what you are able to do in terms of repairs. There will always be more need than you can realistically meet. We do projects that can be done with our existing tools and supplies and that can be finished in two hours.

General Interior Cleaning
Not everyone will let you come in at random and clean his or her house. It's best to stop by a prospective house to schedule a day before the cleaning team comes.

Community Dinner
Throw a dinner for the block. One family in a rough part of London has been doing grill outs for the past few years. The couple provides the grill and the hamburgers. Everyone else brings a part of the dinner. The result: Neighbors are talking to one another for the first time, they are watching out for each other and, naturally, the crime rate has gone down.

Doggie Yard Cleanup
It's an unsavory job, but someone has to do it. Jesus said, "If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, be the servant of all."

Does that include all breeds? Actually, it's not that tough with the right equipment. (You can find scooper equipment at a local pet store.) Give a connection card to pet owners and park officials in the area.

Weed Spraying
Spray for weeds in cracks in the sidewalk and areas where weeds thrive. Wear rubber gloves.

Tree Limb Trimming
Purchase an extending trimmer with a saw and pulley clipper. Beware of electric lines. Before trimming any limbs, get approval from the home owner.

Light Bulb Replacement
Sounds simple, but for some reaching up to a nine foot ceiling is a difficult chore. We offer a 60-watt light bulb with a connection card, and if they'd like we replace burned out ones.

Seal Blacktop Driveways
Homeowners with this type of driveway must reseal every year or two to keep it from cracking. This is a messy and slow job but one that will touch not only the homeowner but the neighbors as well.

Fireplace Ash Removal
Self-explanatory. Note: Never remove hot ashes. Even when they seem just a bit warm, they pose a serious fire threat in the trash can. We recommend you place the ashes in a double layer grocery bag.

Radon Detectors
Radon gas is a problem is many parts of the world. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. Detectors are steadily coming down in price. Presently they run about five dollars, or you can purchase a machine for over $1,000. This could be a decent investment for a small group that wants to systematically reach out to the area surrounding their neighborhood.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors
These have become very affordable recently. They can literally save lives during the winter. Attach your logo and phone number to the card that holds the CO detector button.

Smoke Detector Batteries
All older and some newer detectors use 9-volt batteries. These should be replaced yearly. We do massive battery replacement outreaches on the October time change weekend. Attach a sticker with your logo and phone number to the detector face if it's possible.

Dog Washing
Organize a "doggie wash". Use the recommended dog shampoo that is sold in pet stores. This is done best around your neighborhood. The best workers and organizers of a dog wash are kids. Two ten year old boys recently touched their entire neighborhood by blanketing all the houses with a homemade flyer explaining their project. They later reported washing sixteen dogs and one reluctant cat. They also provided a flea collar to each clean pet.

Garage Cleaning
With a homeowner and half a dozen people, this unsavory task can be fun.

Fireplace Kindling
Bundle it up and give it out in the Fall. On the binding attach your logo and phone number.

Bark and Mulch for Yards
In the spring this is a big hit. Load up a pickup truck, knock on doors, and offer it to people. You can even offer to help spread it.

De-icing
After an ice storm, a few shovels of rock salt can make a big difference on a slippery sidewalk or driveway.

House Number Painting on Curbs
With stencils, spray paint house numbers on curbs. Find decent looking stencils.

Shopping Assistance for Shut-ins
This would come by referrals. Work with shut-ins to get a list of needs, shop and deliver.

Holiday Giveaways
Target 3-4 times during the year to go house to house with a holiday giveaway. Examples: small poinsettias at Christmas, Easter baskets at Easter, picnic on Independence day (include hot dogs, chips, beans, buns, and a watermelon), mum plants in the Fall.