Backpacks & Hot Drinks: Decisions

We have talked over the past few months as a group about making an investment in some backpack beverage drink dispensers in order to easily deliver drinks to homeless folks (and others) as we go out at least once a month to hang with people. It is our heart to have the capability of delivering both hot and cold drinks as we interact with people on the streets. This post then will look at some of our options, ask for input, and point us toward making a decision within the next month.

As a first note I want to clarify that these products, once purchased, will not be owned by me or any other individual or business, but will be considered communal property by the Socks & Gloves family to be used for our efforts both corporately and individually. This means that anyone at anytime in our circle can use these products for the sake of the homeless. The drink dispensers will of course be taken care of and accounted for at all times, but the goal is that they will be frequently utilized and not simply sit in one person's garage. Get it? The reality is that Socks & Gloves really does belong to all of us and I'd love to continue to see a strong group ownership as well as unique individual contribution and creativity for the benefit of everyone. On a practical note, some of our purchase is welcome to be stored in my garage, but I imagine that others in our posse may step up to take ownership over managing some drinks in two ways: 1) storing supplies, and 2) preparing drinks before our events.

Here are some of our options:

Option A:
I have found a $75.00 backpack sprayer at Home Depot (4 gallon) that will be able to hold cold liquids such as lemonade or water or whatever we'd like. The clear advantage of getting two of these is that they hold a decent amount of liquid and they can be utilized in most months in Sacramento (minus Winter). Of course when we split off into groups, we can have a pack with each group too. Yes, it is true that backpacks as such are designed to be used for spraying pesticides, but we know of a group called The Way that regularly uses these devices and everything has been fine with their safety and usability. There has been some concern here, so let's dialogue about that if necessary. I would not be comfortable in ever jeopardizing the safety of those we serve.

Option B:
We can make a purchse of a Rocket Man beverage dispenser backpack as pictured below. These backpacks will hold either hot or cold drinks. These are "the bomb" backpacks so to speak. The upside is that this would be versataille for us in terms of allowing cold and hot drinks or even soup, but the downside is that a backpack as such would cost between $500-600. The backpack appears to hold 2.5-3 gallons.

Option C:
If we feel comfortable purchasing backpack sprayers for warm months (cold drinks), then we need to get something for colder months in order to hold hot chocolate, coffee, tea, etc... We can always purchase a Cambro-style product. After initial research, it appears that most thermal servers are priced somewhere between $130-$204 and they appear to be able to hold anywhere from 2.5 gallons to 10 gallons of liquid. The upside is that these appear to be dishwasher safe and some of them can hold soup too. However, I did find some Cambro brand "Thermal Servers" at 48 ounces that were priced at $22.00 and then 64 ounces at $100.00 Ultimately if we were able to purchase four 48 ouce cambros (or more), then that could be advantageous in that it would hold a decent supply of liquid as well as spread the work out to a number of people for our gatherings in order to prepare a drink in advance so that one person is not trying to boil 200 ounces of water for 4 cambros... These containers are small enough to cart around. The downside is that they don't hold too much liquid. And on that note, how much liquid capabilities should we aim for anyway? I wonder how much we could pass out.

Option D:
Someone can write letters to distributors of products as such and ask them for free products. Anyone interested in doing that?

Questions:
Which scenario do you like best? Which option(s) sound like a wise investment, practical, and feasible to do financially? Would anyone be willing to store any of these products? Anyone have access to powdered drinks? Any creativity to throw into the mix here in terms of product selection, use, or fundraising?

The Big Number:
If we went the route of Options A & C, then we would need to scrape together $240 or so. And then let's raise an additional $50 at least for powdered drinks. If we had a huge supply of both hot chocolate and lemonade, that would be an enormous blessing and save money for the future, not to mention, keep us prepared to serve in an instant. So with that, if we go this route, let's say that a solid $300+ will be necessary. If we go with Option B, then $600+ will be necessary.

The Finances so Far:
1. $50 check from an out-of-towner.
2. $33.51 cash donation from friend.
3. House of Grace offered to pay down 1/2 of one of the Home Depot backpacks ($37.50) if I understand the blog comment properly.
4. My family will throw in funds.
5. A friend e-mailed and said he may be willing to chip in some fundage.
6. Other people have expressed a desire to help out.

Action:
Let's dialogue below about this and kick around some of these options and thoughts so that we can make a purchase very soon (in the next month or sooner would be great). And if you are open to support this venture financially at any level, please let me know somehow (either comment below or e-mail me at socks at lundquistcompany dot com). Any amount is welcome and appreciated. Thanks.

For God's glory...