A Simple Way to Help the Homeless

They're there the whole year, but somehow during the holidays they seem to multiply. Homeless people holding signs on street corners, or in front of mega-stores or malls. They seem to ask for so little; a warm meal, a couple of bucks, a blanket. And yet, we can walk or drive by them without looking them in the eye, allowing us to ignore them as if they were something disgusting on the sidewalk that we'd rather not clean up. Not my problem, we may think. That, or Get a job!

However, for many of us, the problem isn't so much a lack of desire to help as it is a lack of ability. The most common excuse I hear for not giving to the homeless, and one I have also used myself on occasion, is that giving money simply isn't safe. In the first place, we don't know what they will use the money for. They say, of course, that they are hungry, or cold, and so we would expect that they would use whatever money they recieve for food or a coat. Or maybe they would try to save enough money to try to find a room for rent, or an apartment. And I believe that those who are truly homeless would not waste the money, but use it to meet their needs.

Unfortunately, there is that qualifier "truly". We are familiar enough with the reality of human nature to know that some people lie, and others steal. We've read enough stories about con artists running homeless scams to become disillusioned with the whole prospect. How can we be sure that person standing there in a shabby coat with patched pants and scruffy hair is really a homeless person in need of our help? Suppose they actually have a home, a car, and a family, but simply lack the desire to work and would rather make their money by pretending to be in need and taking donations from other people all day? We know that some people have done it; therefore we become suspicious of everyone.

Another factor we may be wary of is the reason for this person's homelessness. Some might be perfectly willing to help a person who became homeless through no fault of their own, but have difficulties helping someone they might percieve as lazy. Others may have lost everything due to addiction or substance abuse. Still, regardless of the cause, these people are presently without a home, an income, or a steady source of food, and they need help as much as any other.

The problem is that we don't think we can trust these people to use the money we give them in the best way. Someone who has demonstrated that they squander money in the past, possibly to the point of becoming homeless, cannot be counted upon to use money wisely now. It is, in a way, an addiction of its own. Similarily, those under the hold of alcohol or drugs need not only money, but help to defeat their addictions and become healthy.

But as we're walking into the store with our kids, or stopped for a moment at the light on our way to work, we usually can't do all that is necessary to help the people we see, often leading us to do nothing at all. An alternative to money is, of course, food. Those holding signs reading "Hungry", or "Will work for food" will usually accept, well, food. And those who want to help need not worry about whether or not the sandwich or fruit they give is going to be used to buy alcohol or drugs. The question then changes from whether or not I want to help, to whether or not I have food on me when I meet or pass a homeless person. Unfortunately, more often than not, I don't.

The solution is amazingly simple. So simple that I never thought of it before. Luckily, children will often point out the obvious that we've been too adult to notice. Two sisters came to our church last week to present a short skit and their idea of making up paper bags full of non-perishable food items and contact info for local resources such as shelters, food and clothing drives, and churches, to keep in our cars and be ready to give to a homeless person whenever we might meet one. I was immediately taken with the idea, and a friend and I went to the store and bought the supplies to make the first bags the next day. I'd now like to share with all of you this simple way you could give to those in need and be sure that your contribution is helping.

It's easiest to buy the supplies in large boxes at stores like Costco. We try to get a variety of individually sealed food items that won't go bad and don't require heating in order to eat. We also attempt to include as many nutritious and calorie dense foods as possible. Dried fruit is sweet and nutritious, and applesauce or fruit cups also supply nutrients. Jerky, nuts, seeds, or small cans of cooked beans provide protein. Make sure the cans have the pull off lids, and don't require a canopener, and also be sure to include plastic spoons in the bags. Granola bars can provide whole grains and, depending on what else is added, other nutrients as well. Power bars like Cliff Bars are also good sources of nutrition and protein. We also try to make the bags fun by putting in crackers and chocolate. Thinking about tooth pain and the inability of most homeless people to visit a dentist should they get a cavity, we include a toothbrush and some toothpaste.

The possibilities for these bags are endless. You can include a bus pass or a phone card. The list of resources in your area can be as detailed as you want. You can provide it in English or Spanish. You could include gloves, or a notepad and a pen. If you are relatively certain the people might have access to hot water, you can provide instant oatmeal or ramen. You can pack the supplies in brown paper lunch bags, stow a couple within easy reach in your car, and give others to your friends or colleagues. My friend and I enjoyed shopping for the supplies, and kids can have a lot of fun picking out what to put in the bags and organizing and packing the bags once you get home.

Our first bags were stuffed, and the average cost per bag was about $6.50. We can get it smaller by shopping wisely at Costco and buying in bulk or when items are on sale. If you do usually give money, am I right to guess giving a 5 dollar bill is common? Or perhaps you like to take a homeless person out for lunch; the prices are all comparable. This holiday season, I hope you can enjoy helping those in need in whatever way you choose.