Bogart_1960: there is lots of way you can help. check your local shelters. from cutting bread to cleaning. also you can collect from your neighborhoods material things they dont need. i do it here.
but most important is to show respect to people. it is hard right now, and it does looks like is going to be much harder in the next 2 years.
yes that's an excellent idea...actually thinking about getting some turkeys and dropping them off at the shelter...
Bogart_1960: thats a start, great. but if i may suggest, bring canned products, bread, or any other type of "take away".
get more people involved(show some videos, it does have an impact). we all can do "a little good to ourselves".
I donated one year through the post office...they left a bag for you to fill up with can goods...makes you wonder if it really made it to where it was suppose to go...
Look at a homeless person in the eye,treat them with dignity and respect.Show them consideration,be polite,and smile .Simply say hello.
If someone asks for help rather than treating them with indifference or ignoring them simply state"I'm not able to help right now."
Here is something I found on the National Coalition for the Homeless.
This info listed below can also apply to the ones who are living in homeless shelters.
Needed items and services might include:
Clothing. The lack of clean, well-fitting clothes and shoes causes great hardship beyond exposure to the elements—it hurts one's self-image and one's chance to get ahead. People experiencing homelessness must travel light, with few opportunities to safely store or adequately clean what they can't carry. On job interviews, a poorly dressed person has little chance for success. Give your clean clothes to those who could use them. Before you give your own clothes or start a clothing drive, talk to your local shelter and find out what items they really need. Most have limited storage space, and can't use winter clothes in summer or vice versa. Some serve only a certain group of people. Please clean the clothes before you donate them.
In-kind services and materials. Service providers may be able to use copying, printing, food, transportation, marketing assistance, computer equipment and assistance, electrical work, building materials, plumbing, etc.
Household goods or other items. Service providers may need items such as kitchen utensils, furniture, books, toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls, diapers, etc.
Books. People experiencing homelessness may have limited access to a library and find that there is little for them to do when spending a night at a shelter. Find out if your local shelter would appreciate donations of books. Consider organizing a book drive to create a small library at the shelter if there is not already one there.
Computers. Many non-profit organizations have a difficult time purchasing expensive but essential equipment such as computers. If you have a machine you no longer need, a local shelter or service provider might greatly appreciate the donation. Shelter guests might also appreciate the donation of machines for their use, although you should check if a shelter would have space to set up public computers.
Homeless “survival kits.” Create and distribute kits that include items such as cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. (Try coordinating this through a group that gives out meals from a van, for example.) During cold weather, organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and the like.
Phone calls. Help people experiencing homelessness contact loved ones by offering the opportunity to make free long distance calls on holidays. Donate to or organize a cell phone drive for the homeless.
Job opportunities. Encourage your company, school, or place of worship to hire people experiencing homelessness (if they are not already working). Most unemployed homeless adults desperately want to work, but need an employer to give them a chance.
Support for a homeless person or family. As people move out of a shelter or transitional housing program, consider raising money to contribute for a security deposit, or assist by contributing household goods, babysitting, or moral support. See if your local shelter has a partnering program.
SoonerGal: I donated one year through the post office...they left a bag for you to fill up with can goods...makes you wonder if it really made it to where it was suppose to go...
Our local High School band students collect food during the holiday season.They drop off bags through out our neighborhood and distribute the food to needy families.
Ccincy: Look at a homeless person in the eye,treat them with dignity and respect.Show them consideration,be polite,and smile .Simply say hello.
If someone asks for help rather than treating them with indifference or ignoring them simply state"I'm not able to help right now."
Here is something I found on the National Coalition for the Homeless.
This info listed below can also apply to the ones who are living in homeless shelters.
Needed items and services might include:
Clothing. The lack of clean, well-fitting clothes and shoes causes great hardship beyond exposure to the elements—it hurts one's self-image and one's chance to get ahead. People experiencing homelessness must travel light, with few opportunities to safely store or adequately clean what they can't carry. On job interviews, a poorly dressed person has little chance for success. Give your clean clothes to those who could use them. Before you give your own clothes or start a clothing drive, talk to your local shelter and find out what items they really need. Most have limited storage space, and can't use winter clothes in summer or vice versa. Some serve only a certain group of people. Please clean the clothes before you donate them.
In-kind services and materials. Service providers may be able to use copying, printing, food, transportation, marketing assistance, computer equipment and assistance, electrical work, building materials, plumbing, etc.
Household goods or other items. Service providers may need items such as kitchen utensils, furniture, books, toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls, diapers, etc.
Books. People experiencing homelessness may have limited access to a library and find that there is little for them to do when spending a night at a shelter. Find out if your local shelter would appreciate donations of books. Consider organizing a book drive to create a small library at the shelter if there is not already one there.
Computers. Many non-profit organizations have a difficult time purchasing expensive but essential equipment such as computers. If you have a machine you no longer need, a local shelter or service provider might greatly appreciate the donation. Shelter guests might also appreciate the donation of machines for their use, although you should check if a shelter would have space to set up public computers.
Phone calls. Help people experiencing homelessness contact loved ones by offering the opportunity to make free long distance Homeless “survival kits.” Create and distribute kits that include items such as cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. (Try coordinating this through a group that gives out meals from a van, for example.) During cold weather, organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and the like.calls on holidays. Donate to or organize a cell phone drive for the homeless.
Job opportunities. Encourage your company, school, or place of worship to hire people experiencing homelessness (if they are not already working). Most unemployed homeless adults desperately want to work, but need an employer to give them a chance.
Support for a homeless person or family. As people move out of a shelter or transitional housing program, consider raising money to contribute for a security deposit, or assist by contributing household goods, babysitting, or moral support. See if your local shelter has a partnering program.
this is awesome information...I was actually thinking of putting together some bags with stuff in them...like socks, gloves and so on
TorlessChristchurch, Canterbury New Zealand1,499 posts
Ccincy, great post. All they want is to be treated with dignity, like everyone else. The homeless are all someone's brother, sister, mother, father, son or daughter.
2girlsnocupunknown, Greater London, England UK2,621 posts
Bogart_1960: What People Would Do To Defend A Homeless Stranger
"regrets are mistakes you don't learn something from."
I raged at the people that made complaints. I'm just so happy that the show didn't bother to hide their faces, so now everyone can see how uncaring they are towards fellow humans.
Nobody should be hungry in this day and age, especially when we're a throwaway generation.
2girlsnocup: I raged at the people that made complaints. I'm just so happy that the show didn't bother to hide their faces, so now everyone can see how uncaring they are towards fellow humans.
Nobody should be hungry in this day and age, especially when we're a throwaway generation.
LadyDizJohannesburg, Gauteng South Africa1,320 Posts
LadyDizJohannesburg, Gauteng South Africa1,320 posts
I've been homeless, thankfully for a short period of time but I have never forgotten how terrifying it was nor how isolated from everyday life and people I felt. It's what motivated me to do what I am doing now, and to help, in whatever way I can to empower the homeless, and to ensure they are afforded the inalienable dignity we are all born with.
LadyDiz: I've been homeless, thankfully for a short period of time but I have never forgotten how terrifying it was nor how isolated from everyday life and people I felt. It's what motivated me to do what I am doing now, and to help, in whatever way I can to empower the homeless, and to ensure they are afforded the inalienable dignity we are all born with.
Lady, the worst moments in our lives gives us the strength and the courage to say "I made a difference to that one".
In response to: What People Would Do To Defend A Homeless Stranger
"regrets are mistakes you don't learn something from."
True yes and no....regrets sometimes are where you wish things had turned out differently...for better or worse hard to say,..Having Just been in peru (very poor country..) there was people asking for money all the time, Homeless alot of as well..you cant cater to everyone... In the situation above. let the guy eat for godsakes (even though a actor..), as to how he got to where he may be,,,..thats unknown !
i try to Learn everyday..Just not from regrets...Live and learn :)
Brannigan70Yellow Brick Road , Manchester, Mayo Ireland2,339 posts
Wow , some of our nicest people here have experienced homelessness at some time through no fault of their own . Bloody frightening to think just how easily it can happen ....
Brannigan70: Wow , some of our nicest people here have experienced homelessness at some time through no fault of their own . Bloody frightening to think just how easily it can happen ....
Yes it is, I've never been homeless per se, but I know what it means to have absolutely nothing, and with kids....that's why I'm so thankful for where and what I have now
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as i said, we can all contribute in some form helping those who, for different reasons, are homeless or having really hard times.
it would be interesting to start something here on CS... even just an alert is not bad.
ty