Anyone can help the homeless.
You don't have to be a millionaire to help those in need. In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are without permanent homes and often go to bed hungry and cold. If you want to make a difference in the life of even just one homeless person, there are several ways in which you can help.
Instructions
1. Give food.
One way to make a great difference in the day of a homeless individual is by bringing food. When you leave for work or for errands in the morning, simply take along a couple of extra peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or a few granola bars. If you have leftovers in a doggie bag from a restaurant, consider giving them to a homeless person you encounter on the street.
2. Show respect.
You probably don't know the circumstances in a person's life that could have lead them to become homeless. Do not assume that you do. Treat a homeless individual in the exact same, respectful manner that you would anyone else. Imagine how you would feel if you needed help, and then treat a homeless person accordingly.
3. Be kind.
In the busy and hectic modern world, it can be so easy to just pass homeless people by on the street and ignore them without so much as a glance. Make a difference by behaving with kindness rather than indifference or disgust. If a homeless person asks you a question, smile and respond back with words or warmth or encouragement. This can do wonders for a homeless person's mentality.
4. Think before giving out any money.
It can be very tempting to give a homeless individual a couple of dollars in cash to purchase a warm meal. However, it is often a better (and safer) idea to give food instead. This eliminates the homeless person's possible temptation and desire to buy alcohol or drugs.
5. Offer transportation tickets.
When someone is homeless, they might have a difficult time finding a job due to lack of transportation. Not having a vehicle could lead to not being able to make job interviews and interviews with staffing agencies. Buy bus or subway tickets in advance and consider giving them to homeless people that you run into on the streets.
6. Learn specifics about the homeless individual.
Homeless people are often used to being dismissed by people in society. Show a homeless individual that you are interested in who he is as a person by finding out things like his first name, where he was born, what his hobbies are and what he likes to eat. Engage him and find out what he needs the most.
7. Support charities.
Many ways exist in which individuals can offer support to the homeless people in their area. Consider volunteering your time or making a monetary donation to soup kitchens and homeless shelters locally. Another way to help out is by donating necessities, such as toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc), all of which can help homeless people get back on track to living their lives.
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