There are some small ways we can all help the homeless. One of the biggest things you can do when helping is to treat homeless people with kindness and dignity.
Homeless people come from all walks of life. Some are young, some are old and many are working. There's a myth that homeless people are all jobless but it's not true. Many people lose their homes because the cost of housing is so expensive or because their environment was extremely dangerous. Many still maintain a job during this period of stress and homelessness. Some don't, but it's important that we educate ourselves and don't stereotype all homeless people the same.
Here are some small ways you can help homeless people:
- Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen helping to serve food.
- Organize a group to prepare care packages with soap, toothbrushes and other toiletries.
- Donate food to shelters, food banks, drop in centers or transitional houses.
- Respect them and treat them with dignity when you do offer assistance. Imagine how you would feel if you needed assistance.
- Donate your clothing. Many agencies accept clothing donations and give them to homeless people who need them.
- Volunteer your services. For example, a hairdresser could offer occasional free haircuts and a dentist or doctor could volunteer some of their services to the homeless.
- Organize fund-raisers. Craft sales, bake sales, garage sales and more could all be used to raise funds at your club, church, school or organization to donate to non profit groups that support the homeless.
- Give them a gift certificate for food at a grocery store or restaurant.
- Give them bus tickets.
- Donate things for homeless children such as baby formula, blankets and toys.
Reference: Help the homeless
