7 Practical Ways You Can Help Someone Experiencing Homelessness in Your Town.
Kindness is being present.
by Mark P. Fisher
On a single night in January 2022, the number of men, women and children in America experiencing homelessness was 564,000.
Think about it. 564,000 people could fill nearly 8 NFL stadiums.
Now, more than ever during a pandemic, your help will make a difference.
Here are 7 practical (and proven) ways you can make a difference.
1) Make eye contact and smile
Most feel invisible. It might feel a bit weird or scary at first, but never in my countless experiences has someone attacked me or gotten angry for smiling.
“You never know whose eyes God is watching you out of. It ain’t gonna be your preacher or Sunday school teacher, it might be a fellow like me. It’s not me, but it could be someone like me”
– Denver Moore (author of book made movie Same Kind of Different as Me and formerly homeless)
2) Be hospitable: show empathy - say Hi
Homelessness is extremely isolating. Just saying “hello” and smiling can encourage a person - even make their day.
“The things you keep forever are the things you give away for nothing.”
– Denver Moore
Stop and say hi.
3) Stop.
Keeping a six foot distance, introduce yourself. Sit for a moment. Just like you were at a party. Ask questions. Listen to their story. This simple act of kindness reminds them - they are human, valuable and someone cares. Be safe and smart. Trust your instincts. Do it with a friend. In my experiences of sitting, chatting and listening I have been better equipped to know a person’s needs so I can do #4.
“Empathy goes a long way into understanding the many reasons why people become homeless. Sudden life events such as unemployment, lack of affordable housing, or a medical condition can all force people into homeless.”
– Meghan Murphy of HandUp.org
4) Respond:
Just like you would with a friend. I sat with a homeless man in Philly one night after coming out of a movie. What intrigued me was what he was doing behind his ‘sign’ asking for help: reading. So I introduced myself, asked if I could sit with him and queried about his book. That naturally opened a fascinating conversation. Said he really likes to read. I went to my car and grabbed a copy of the book that changed my attitude toward the ‘least’ of these in our world - Same Kind of Different as Me. I felt nudged to slip a $20 in the book. When I gave it to him, he thanked me but quickly said, "appreciate the money…but I might buy something you may not approve of.” I smiled and said, “not up to me, it’s a gift. Use it as you need.”
According to a recent Baylor University study, “People don’t become homeless when they run out of money, at least not right away. They become homeless when they run out of relationships.”
Donate to a local nonprofit who serves the homeless, hungry, abused or addicted.
Give something tangible...
5) Give something tangible:
Coffee, meal, gift card, carry blessing bags in your car. Your gift of kindness gives both something tangible as well as intangible – hope, love and encouragement.
Create a Gallon Size Ziploc Bag This is key for several reasons:
Helps to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks
Keeps the items from spilling/leaking onto their personal items in their bags.
The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks.
What To Include:
Hand-Warmers – we put a couple packs in, especially during the winter, but even for those chilly evenings in the spring/summer/fall these would be very welcome. We buy a pack of 40 at Costco for around $15 ($.38/pk) & then we have these on hand for blessing bags as well as camping, winter sports, etc.
Bag of Quarters – These are nice to include for washing clothes at the laundromat (we just put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag to keep them contained in a smaller area
Bottle of Water – Mini water bottles work great so they don’t take up too much space or if you can fit a regular size water bottleBand-Aids – these are something that may often be needed but may not be something they would be able to spend money on or think about having.
Baby Wipes – a small pack of baby wipes would be a great one to include to help with feeling clean & fresh
Hand Sanitizer – another great option to help them feel cleanerWash Cloth – buy an inexpensive wash cloth to include
In addition:
Toiletries:
*If you have a lot of items to include in your bags, travel-size toiletries work great
Toothbrush
Toothpaste (travel size if you have a lot of items to put into your bag)
Floss
Soap (we bring home soaps from hotels if we don’t end up using all of them)
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner (these are also great products to save from hotels if you don’t use them as they’re the perfect size for these bags)
Comb
Personal hygiene items if you’re making a kit for a woman (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc)
Sunscreen (depending on time of year)
Chapstick
Personal Items:
New Socks
New Underwear
Inexpensive gloves
Non-Perishable Foods:
Granola Bars
Energy Bars
Tuna/cracker packs
Trail mix
Raisins
Peanuts
Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon)
Gum/hard candy
Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes
6) Steer, invite, take:
Connect with your local homeless shelter. Find out who and how they help. Get brochures or cards to give to someone experiencing homelessness. Offer to take them. I know, this is getting into the weeds. It could get messy. Be wise. Use good judgement. But again, never in all my experiences have I regretted steering, inviting or taking someone to a safe place. (Read about my night at a homeless shelter called: 'What is your white, honkey suburban ass doing in the ghetto?')
When you come upon a homeless person they may be looking for affordable housing, or transitional housing or a Local shelter.
This is your opportunity to provide social services in real time.
You don’t need to be an expert in homeless services to help a homeless individual. Just talking and asking questions provides supportive assistance.
In some cases a homeless person is struggling with substance abuse and needs to find a recovery program.
Just book mark one of our LOCATE A HOMELESS SHELTERS below and pull it up when you are chatting with a homeless person seeking real help.
Locate an agency near you.
Christian Care: Citygate Network
Donate to a local nonprofit who serves the homeless, hungry, abused or addicted.
7) Make the Same Kind of Difference:
Volunteer: As Meghan Murphy of HandUp.org encourages, “Spend your free time where it counts, whether it’s serving meals in a homeless shelter or providing tutoring with homeless youth.”
Donate to a local nonprofit who serves the homeless, hungry, abused or addicted. Or, make a tax deductible gift to the national movement: The Same Kind of Different as Me Foundation. It is the ‘911’ for agencies who serve the homeless all over the country.