As a manager of an emergency food pantry, I am constantly asked “What can I do to help the homeless?”
It is estimated that nearly 3.5 million people in the United States are homeless. 1.35 million of these are children (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). Contrary to popular belief, many of these people do not want to be homeless.
Why are people homeless?
Everyone faces a crisis at some point in their lives. Some may have a spouse suffering from mental illness or drug addiction or has developed an arc. Others experience job loss, domestic violence, divorce, injury or illness. Many families are fortunate enough to have the financial resources to deal with these problems. For those who do not, soon find themselves with money and money.
Lack of financial resources is the primary reason people become homeless. For those who lack education, work or social skills, it is very difficult to extract themselves from the cycle of shelters.
How does it matter?
Visiting food stalls and volunteering at soup kitchens is one way a person can make a difference. However, you can help in many other ways.
Join the lunch bag. In some communities, soup kitchens are only open in the evening or Monday through Saturday. Find a shelter in your community that tries to feed the homeless on the weekends, and offer to pack a bag of lunches. Lunch bags can be as simple as peanut butter & a jelly sandwich, a piece of fresh fruit and a canned drink
Donate homeless food to a local food pantry. Many of the homeless come to emergency food pantries for non-perishable groceries that can be carried in a backpack. Instead of buying a case of 5# peanut butter alone, why don’t they buy some staple food instead? Cups, fruit cups, 4 oz peanut butter, cheese & crackers, 3 oz cans of tuna, and juice boxes are a few examples of food that are easy for the homeless to carry. Bring your single portion of food donations directly to the food pantry that serves the homeless. Your state Food Bank network can give you the name of the pantry that serves this need.
Bring yourself hotel toiletries. Most people don’t realize that food stamps are used for non-food groceries. Deodorant, toothbrushes & Toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, and all personal care items are welcome donations at grocery stores and shops. Small-scale hotels are particularly useful; Carry shampoo and bar soap home for these business trips and keep individual measurements for the cabin.
Your coats & mourning for the booth When the cold weather, many are homeless without proper clothing. Instead of donating old coats to a winter thrift store, why not donate shelter instead? If you don’t have an old coat to donate, buy a blanket or a dozen throws and knit hats instead. Call the police department or city hall for a list of shelters in your area.
Contribute to operating expenses. Roofs, soup kitchens, and food banks cost money. The shelter needs some financial work on utility or food costs, and commit to a set amount every month. If you don’t like the idea of donating money, you can also donate for the size of the food.
Donate bus signals Many of the refugees have no transportation and rely on public transportation to receive medical treatment or to find work. The shelter or agency that distributes the homeless bus sign and offer to buy a certain amount every month.
Keep your old books and take them to homeless shelters and food portal. Many food pantries can give children books especially if they have them.
Be a food runner and pick up bread from the local grocery store of the old days. All grocery-stores pull their day old bread off the shelf and throw it away if no one comes around. to claim Find a store in your area that stocks daily cookware and find a homeless shelter that can use it.
Keep the contents of the deli and find an organization, such as a soup kitchen or a community dinner network that sends leftovers home.
Staff on the crisis line on a set schedule. Organizations such as the YWCA, St. Vincent de Paul, and Safe Ministries all have hot lines for individuals and families against accidents.
Homeless rent. One of the biggest challenges I face is finding work. Most employers, including fast food franchises, will not hire someone who does not have a phone or call. back number Do you want to have a business that could use casual work? Register with the Office of Casual Work in your area and hire homeless people to hire services to maintain and support these programs.
Share the skills you know. Volunteering with an organization that helps those living in poverty becomes beneficial. Your state’s Department of Commerce and Labor can provide you with this information; if not, try calling your state Food Bank network or your local Salvation Army office for programs in your area.
The problem of the roof will never go away, but by working together, we can make things a little easier for those who are facing difficulties. For more information about Homelessness in America, visit the website of the National Coalition for the Homeless to learn how you can get involved.
