Supporting The Homeless Is Easy With These Ideas
We don’t just hand out items and walk away, we build a relationship to really help homeless people.
We have a comprehensive plan to address homelessness includes programs to prevent homelessness before it starts and programs to support people already experiencing homelessness.
Prevention is much less costly than dealing with the complications of long-term homelessness. To prevent homelessness, however, we must know where it begins.
These factors include poverty, addiction, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, mental illness, domestic violence, and high health care costs. For this analysis, we give all factors equal weighting.
The longer a person is homeless, the harder and more expensive it becomes to re-house this person. Rapid rehousing helps people move from emergency/transitional shelter or on the street into stable housing as fast as possible. It also connects people with supportive, community-based resources that help them maintain housing.
Seven ways to help the homeless
Wondering how to help homeless people in your community? If you want to help create change, we offer seven ideas for helping the homeless below.
- Volunteer your time
Homeless shelters across the country depend on volunteers to keep their doors open and operations running smoothly. By volunteering your time, you can help in any number of ways: serving food to the homeless, building permanent shelters, handing out care packages, cleaning, fundraising and clerical work, and more. Our charity are passionate about ensuring the homeless are cared for: - Donate new and gently used items
Homeless shelters are always in need of the basics: kitchen supplies, soap, toothpaste, winter attire, and more. Go through your belongings and round up gently used clothing to donate, or call our charity to find out exactly our needs. After making a list of what they need, head to discount stores near you to buy supplies in bulk. - Kick off a blanket or coat drive
Every winter, shelters need blankets and coats to help the homeless stay warm and healthy. You can head up your own blanket or coat drive, then donate everything you’ve gathered to a local shelter of your choice.
Start by announcing your drive on social media, and be sure to tell coworkers and acquaintances about your idea, too. Set a deadline, and make it clear that people don’t have to purchase items—they can easily donate a blanket or coat they rarely use.
- Create an online fundraiser
Don’t let a lack of funds hold you back from doing good in your community. If you want to lend a hand but don’t know how to raise money for the homeless, please contact us. Once you create your fundraiser, start sharing it on social media and ask your friends and family for their support. To encourage more people to give, be sure to let everyone know that even a £5 donation can make a difference.
Try one of these fundraising ideas, or come up with your own:
Raise money for a specific individual
Raise money for a local homeless charity
Raise money to purchase period products for homeless women
Raise money to buy care packages for the homeless
Raise money to purchase a one-night or one-week hostel stay for an individual in need
- Pay for a hotel room
On a freezing winter night, you can go above and beyond a hot meal by offering to pay for a hotel room for an individual in need. This idea is great if you have already built a friendly rapport with homeless folks in your community. - Advocate and share ideas
Do you have ideas on how to improve the conditions for homeless folks in your community? Or are you passionate about helping create more affordable housing solutions in your city?
Make your voice heard by bringing your ideas to city council meetings, or reach out to local politicians to find out what is currently being done, and how you can get involved in the process or contact us.
- Give out food gift cards
Giving money to homeless people is a quick and easy way to help, but you may not always have cash on hand when you come across someone who really needs help. Take a proactive step by purchasing several inexpensive gift cards to local restaurants, then hand them out whenever you see a need. This is another way Belfast And Lisburn community Project give out food. Giving food to homeless people via gift cards is a simple way to brighten someone’s day and help them stay healthy and nourished.
Ready to be a part of the solution?
No matter how you feel called to help the homeless, fundraising through GoFundMe can simplify your efforts and help you create an even bigger impact.
Start a fundraiser by searching the Charity “Belfast And Lisburn community Project“