In America, more than half a million people experience homelessness.
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report from 2023 found that there were more than 650,000 people in the United States who experienced homelessness on a single night in January last year.
This holiday season and throughout the year, those who want to assist people who are experiencing homelessness can donate to an organization aimed at combating the crisis.
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Especially during the frigid winter months, the donation of winter items like jackets, gloves and hats is essential.
A donation to help those experiencing homelessness isn’t always measured in monetary value or through material items. The donation of time can be just as powerful.
Donations to organizations that help those suffering from homelessness can be extremely welcome. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Below are six ways you can assist those experiencing homelessness this holiday season.
- Donate to organizations fighting homelessness
- Bring canned goods to a food drive
- Donate warm clothing
- Donate children’s toys
- Volunteer your time
- Create care packages
1. Donate to organizations fighting homelessness
There are many worthy charities to which you can donate this holiday season.
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If you want to help fight homelessness specifically, some organizations to consider are Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House, Family Promise and the Salvation Army.
You can also choose to donate through GoFundMe if you know of a specific family or individual who could use help during the holidays.
Seek out organizations this holiday season that provide aid to those experiencing homelessness. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
2. Bring canned goods to a food drive
Another way to give back this holiday season is through the donation of nonperishable goods to a food drive.
Items like pasta and canned vegetables are good ones to donate to a food drive.
Through a quick search online, you can learn about food drives, food banks and food pantries located in your area that accept donations.
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If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even look into organizing a food drive of your own.
3. Donate warm clothing
With cold weather already here in certain parts of the country, many homeless individuals don’t have the proper clothing to protect themselves against chilly temperatures.
Consider making a donation of warm clothing to a shelter to help keep individuals healthy and warm during cold months.
Donating warm clothing is essential, especially during the time of year when cold weather starts to roll in. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This includes jackets, gloves, hats, scarfs and warm pants.
Blankets are another great item to donate to shelters, especially in the winter.
4. Donate children’s toys
During the holiday season, consider dropping off toys to an organization or shelter that supports homeless families.
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Your toy donation can bring a smile to the face of a struggling child this Christmas.
One organization that runs toy drives annually is Coalition for the Homeless.
If you’re able to, donating a toy can mean a great deal to a struggling family during the holidays. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
5. Volunteer your time
Offering a helping hand doesn’t always have to come in the form of a monetary donation. Donating your time can be just as valuable.
Look into volunteer opportunities at your local shelter. Especially during winter months, shelters are often overflowing with individuals who are trying to stay out of the cold.
The high capacity that shelters face during winter makes volunteers vital to keeping operations running smoothly.
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You may volunteer by helping to distribute food to individuals in shelters. You could also look into opportunities to share any skills you have with those who are homeless.
This could include teaching a cooking class or sharing how to properly prepare for a job interview. All of these skills can be very helpful to others.
You don’t have to donate money to make a difference — you can also donate your time. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
You could also consider hosting a fun event like a painting night, bingo event or even a dance class.
6. Create care packages
A care package can include day-to-day necessities such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair combs, tissues, Band-Aids, lip balms and snacks.
Especially during the holidays, it is a nice touch to add a card to your care package with encouraging words.
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These can be brought to your local homeless shelter to be distributed to people in need.