Homelessness is a very real part of our society. You will find homeless people sleeping on the streets, in old vacant buildings in any neighbourhood, no matter how affluent or rundown the neighbourhood. The age-old myth that only poor people are homeless is untrue as professional people have found themselves destitute due to unforeseen circumstances too. Helping the community is important so below are ideas for how to support homeless people, especially through the cold winter months.
Defining homelessness
According to the charity, Shelter, there are 320,000 homeless people in Britain. Homelessness doesn’t always mean people sleeping on the street.
A person is regarded as homeless if they do not have a legal right to occupy the space they live in. A large number of people in Britain and other parts of the world are couch-surfing on the sofas of family and friends, sharing a bedroom with other people or squatting in rundown buildings. They may have a roof over their heads but they do not have the legal occupancy of that space.
6 ways to support the homeless:
1. What to do when you see a homeless person in danger
As temperatures plummet during winter, if you come across a homeless person in danger, suffering from the cold weather, make contact with your Local Authority or a homeless charity. They will be able to support them by referring them to the correct agencies. It is everyone’s duty to protect vulnerable people around them, click here for further information.
2. Donate warm clothing and bedding
With the onset of winter, we find the need to delve into our winter wardrobe pulling warm hats, scarves, socks, jackets and coats. It is always good to donate any extra warm clothes to a charity for the homeless.
They are always very grateful for these items, which they distribute to the homeless people. Blankets and warm clothing are thankfully received by the homeless as a great way to stay warm during the winter.
3. Donate food to soup kitchens
Soup kitchens and homeless shelters are always grateful for food. Sometimes these locations are the only means through which the homeless can access food.
If you find you have cooked more than you need, instead of putting the extra food into the recycling waste, you could offer it to the homeless charities. That’s especially true if you have over catered for an office party during the Christmas holidays.
4. Stop and greet the homeless person
Many homeless people feel socially isolated and lonely. They find the loss of their home means people stop talking to them.
A greeting and a short conversation asking them how they are, is a great way in alleviating loneliness. You could be one of only a few who they talk to that day.
5. Offer a hot cup of tea
Offer to buy the homeless person or a rough sleeper a cup of tea or coffee. Doing so is a great of helping them to warming up during the winter days.
6. Support a local homeless charity
Offer your time to support the homeless charities leading campaigns to bring more attention and funding to the cause of homelessness. You can raise money through fundraising campaigns, for example, as well as helping shelters and charities prepare winter packages of clothing, food, and health product essentials for the homeless. Consider tried and proven unique fundraising ideas such as a coffee fundraiser to help you achieve your goal.
Your efforts can help the homeless get through the difficult winter period.
Final words on how to support the homeless
Homeless people suffer the loss of a permanent home as well as the warmth, comfort, and pleasures that come with a home. They also suffer from the loss of friends and family as they lose contact with them. Their health suffers too as they live in cold temperatures developing numerous respiratory diseases.
The lack of permanence and a space that they can legally call their own is detrimental to their well-being. The loss of a home has a devastating impact on their mental and emotional health, psychological and social well-being. As fellow humans, let’s do our best in supporting the homeless, placed in direct circumstances through no fault of their own.
Thank you for this. In the US it is estimated that there are over 553,000 included in the homeless population. It sickens me to see so much wealth in this country and yet there are so many women, children and veterans that are out on the street. This can only change permanently with God’s help (Isaiah 65:17,21,22) but I’m grateful for your suggestions so I can do my part.
Its the least we can do in Melbourne and I work with the homeless
This is such an important topic, Christy. I am glad that you are bringing awareness to the problem and offering suggestions as to how to aid the homeless. It is something that everyone should do.
Thank you dear Peggy xx
But not many people do it here in Melbourne
Thank you for the work you’re doing to help others, especially those on the streets at this time of year.
Love Canada 😊 hope to visit again soon! 💜
Thanks for sharing, Christy! In the US, we are getting ready for Thanksgiving in a few weeks, so this is a perfect time (though when isn’t? ) to be reminded that we can and should help those less fortunate.
You’re right that it’s an extra special time at Thanksgiving so it’s an especially good time to give. Great reminder, Amy xx
Hope too someday 😊 all I can say is Canada is a beautiful country with wonderful people! And I had wonderful time and Niagara is beautiful absolutely beautiful.. I’m not too far from the New York side of the falls We are very close 😊
That’s very neat. Thanks for the nice words about Canada too!
Great suggestions. It’s the least we can do.
Said so well, Norah. Thank you
I do also read, that there are many homeless people in UK and find that terrible. The politicians should do much more to help those people.
Your ideas of supporting are great, Christy :-D
You have a huge heart, Irene xo I hope you’re doing well
Thank you Christy. I’m doing better day by day.
Nice you posted this! We all forget there are people in need! Wonderful post!
Thank you for appreciating the post!
I really do! Great you posted! Its important!
Absolutely. Donations are always welcome at local shelters, we have one here called “Our Place”
Are USA or abroad? I always donate locally in the US!
I’m in Canada :) Great re local donations!
Canada is beautiful I have been there! Five years ago Niagara gorgeous absolutely gorgeous 😊👍
Ohhhh I’m on the west coast but hope to get to Niagara Falls one day! Come to Victoria :)