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78 Helping The Homeless At Christmas

What kind of help do

homeless people most need

at Christmas?

Christmas consumerism can be lovely when
kept in its place. We are not Grinches here. Still,
if you’re yearning to do something different this
year, one option is to look at some different
ways to help the homeless.
Christmas is an emotional time where
people often have high expectations of
happiness. Even if you don’t have much time,
money or independence, you can still help the
homeless at Christmas in non-judgemental ways
that make a difference.
The best way to start is to search online
for an organised homeless shelter or soup
kitchen in your area, and see what sort of help
they’re looking for over the Christmas period.
They work with the homeless all the time, and
have a concrete plan in place for ways to support
those on the streets.
ways they know best. use it, they may feel a need for it – and might not
Donate money to food banks Tell all your friends and ask them to help be inclined to start using it just because they
Some supermarkets offer to pass your fill your donation box. were given one. Homeless people may also have
donated food onto food banks who help feed the Then get someone with a car who loves different dietary restrictions (like diabetes, or
homeless. Of course, it’s great if you donate to you to deliver the donations to the homeless Crohn’s) that you may not be aware of, same as
them. But it’s worth knowing that food banks shelter. anyone else.
can already buy from supermarkets at wholesale If you’re in a position to be able to do the If in doubt, get in touch with a homeless
prices. above, you could really help the homeless this shelter.
Why not donate your money to food Christmas.
banks directly? This way, they can get the food Presents for pets?
they most need. If you prefer to donate food, Volunteering with homeless shelters A pet is a constant source of company for
food bank websites are likely to have a wishlist.
Shelters nearly always need people to anyone who’s homeless. Buy a marrow or dog
Food banks help all kinds of people and
help out with the cooking and serving of treat or two, and see if you can find a spare clean
they always struggle to meet demand. When you
Christmas dinner, and also with cleaning up. blanket. Wrap the blanket and dog treat tidily
donate to a food bank, you can REALLY make a
Loved ones might not be keen on your doing with a festive ribbon, put it in a bag, then
difference.
this, because they’re looking forward to wonder around until you find a homeless person
spending time with you. That’s fair enough. with a dog. Offer them your present, be your
Donate to homeless shelters Then again, Christmas is a long day. Your family own sweet self, and you’ll be virtually
Shelters might well be looking for might be willing for you and a friend to spend a guaranteed to have made their day (and their
donations of: couple of hours helping out with the cooking at beloved canine companion’s day, too).
• Clothing – socks, blankets, warm clothes, a homeless shelter. Alternatively, you could
hats, toiletries and footwear consider putting in a couple of hours of Money?
• Useful food like basic canned goods volunteer work on the days surrounding As with blessing bags, this is an area of
• Entertainment – from second-hand books to Christmas Day, and save that day for yourself heated discussion. SERIOUSLY, though. It’s not
toys for kids (and although second-hand toys and loved ones. your place to judge what the money will be
are thoughtful, every kid likes something
spent on.
new that has only ever belonged to them) Giving presents and care packages
• Christmas gifts (think luxuries like biscuits, Money is light, easy to carry and
Obviously, you want to respect personal relatively easy to hide on your person. Money
cakes, chocolates, sweets and board games)
space and not give presents to an individual gives someone who’s homeless the power and
Donations are not only used by the shelter but
where they’re not wanted. independence to make their own decisions about
are also given out on the door to those who are
what they want. You can’t possibly know a
unfortunate enough to be turned away due to no
To give or not to give a Blessing Bag? person on the streets better than they know
spare beds.
There’s a lot of conflict around how themselves. Money can be turned into warm
appropriate care packages or ‘blessing bags’ drinks, tampons or new shoes. It can be used to
Raising money to help the homeless might really be. Typically, these packages get a bed at a shelter, or to top up minutes on a
Sure, there’s not much time until contain items related to food and hygiene, pay-as-you-go phone.
college/school/work finishes for the holidays. including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant, Gifts are always well-meant. Empathy
But it really doesn’t take long to set up a lip balm and all the things you might imagine towards someone right there in front of you –
donation day. someone to need if they’re homeless. It can someone who’s often treated as invisible – is
Contact a shelter and find what make you feel good to use your money and time vital. Any action you take to make a difference
donations they want. to give a blessing bag, but how useful is it, could really help. Whatever you do, your
Agree with your principal / headteacher / really? support counts.
student union / boss that you can have a The problem with blessing bags is that
donation day. their contents make a lot of assumptions about Your Local Police, Fire Department and Clergy
Get them to agree to your putting a large the person they’re being given to. Homeless would be help you to find your local
box or two in a public area that people can fill people have different needs and goals, and gifts organization or shelter that can use your help.
with the donations that the shelter of your choice like those mentioned above may not always be
is looking for. welcome. Things like soap can be relatively easy Remember, if you are not part of the solution,
Get your principal / headteacher / student to get. If someone doesn’t have a toothbrush or you are part of the problem. []
union / boss to promote the donation day in the