We all say "what a shame", "how sad", etc when we see a homeless person, but we usually don't try to help them. Some people want to help, but don't know how or where to start. There are homeless people everywhere, not only in the United States. In the U.S., they're in every city, but some are harder to find than others. Here are a few suggestions as to how you can help the homeless:

Volunteer to work at a shelter. Call 1-800-422-4828 for the shelter nearest you. You can share your hobbies, volunteer to watch children at a family program, help with the clerical work by answering phones, typing, filing, sorting mail, serving food, washing dishes, or sorting and distributing clothes. Remember to invite your friends to come along & donate some of their time, too.

Contribute food, personal care items, and free long-distance phone calls so that they can contact loved ones.

Clothing: The need for clean, well-fitting clothing is imperative for the homeless espeically because they can't get a job, let alone a decent chance to succeed, without proper attire. Give your unused clothing to thoose who need it. Before you give your own clothing or start a clothing drive, talk to the shleter and see what items are needed. Most space is limited, so please try to donate clothing according to the season. Also remember to wash the clothes before you donate them!

Donate household goods or other items, such as kitchen utensils, furniture, books, toys, games, stuffed animals, and dolls are also high in demand.

Encourage employers you know to hire homeless people. All they need is a chance to gt their lives back together.

Advocate; register the homeless people in your area to vote. Keep in touch with current legislative policies concerning those with little or no income. Write to newspapers to voice your concern about homelessness, or volunteer at your local National Homeless Organization.

Write or call your state and federal representatives to let them know that you feel the homeless should be treated better. There are crimals who have more to their names than the homeless. Make sure you tell them that you are in support of the increased aid for new low-income housing.

Send $10 to a local or national center for the homless. Encourage your friends to do the same. Centers are listed below.

Look in the phone book for local homeless charities, or call your local city government office to find out where to call to obtain the names and phone numbers of local shelters.

Commit yourself to the charity you donated to, and continue to contribute funds every month to the best of your ability.

Research an issue concerning the homeless/economically disadvantaged for "Spare Change" (a publication for and by the homeless community of Boston) and write an article about it.

Buy "Spare Change."

Help build or fix up houses or shelters. Check with your local public housing authority or Habitat for Humanity (national number is 1-800-422-4828).

Offer your professional skills and services directly and also for employment purposes: catering, plumbing, accounting, management, carperntry, tutoring, public relations, fundraising, legal, writing, child care, counseling, etc.

Help children through working with program directors who are coordinating field trips, picnics, or art workshops for homeless children. Family Shleters are often overburdened by the needs of children, and have little ability to provide recreation. Take homeless children on field trips to sporting events, the zoo, museum, bowling, or sponsor a picnic.

Contribute services and material: copying, printing, food, transportation, marketing assistance, computer equiptment and assistance, elecrical work, medical or dental assistance, and building materials.

Raise funds for a program. There are National Days of Fast in most areas. Have your group abstain from one meal and donate the proceeds to a shleter or soup kitchen. Organize a bike, walk, bowl-a-thon, or yard sale and donate the proceeds.

Sponsor a benefit concert featuring local musicians (and include homeless musicians on the program).

Organize survivial kits to give to the homeless. Include cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. (Try doing this with a group that gives out meals in a van). During the cold weather organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and other cold weather attire.

Give directly; carry fast food certificates, extra sandwiches or fruit to give to the homeless.

Raise money for security deposits to help formerly homeless families meet the first month's rent in a new residence.

Attend neighborhood and public meetings and speak in favor of low-income housing groups, shelters, and homelessness prevention programs.

Let the media know what your neighborhood is doing to help the homeless in your area.

Encourage eveyone you know to write to government officials to ask them to give the homeless the time and help they deserve. Do this at a group get together like a holiday party and provide all the materials in order to obtain a full group effort.

Remember to involve others!!! Invite your classmates, co-workers, church members or civic club to join, or support, your efforts.

Solutions | Guide