As for non-perishable items, think the basics. Granola bars, canned fruit or vegetables, peanut butter, maybe a candy bar – pretty much anything you can open and eat (that can’t get smushed, like potato chips). Don’t forget pet food! It’s estimated that around 10% of homeless people have pets to keep them company. That’s 1 out of every 10! Pet food can be just as useful – if their pets aren’t fed, that’s one more thing they have to worry about.

Keep it simple, like Starbucks, McDonald’s, Walmart, or Target. Even $5 would be an amazing gesture. Gift cards are much easier to carry around wherever you go!

If you can’t find a food drive in your area, there are plenty of other ways to donate food! Contact your local shelters, churches, and coalitions to ask what they need. This is especially useful around the holidays.

But do feel free to donate cash to nonprofits and other similar organizations that assist the homeless. When you help the helpers, your dollar can reach maximum efficiency. They know exactly what to do with it!

Whether your help is in the form of volunteering your time, money, food, or clothing, you will be making a positive difference. Those that go to churches looking for help aren’t necessarily religious; they just know they’ll reach people that are inclined to help.

Make phone calls, asking how you can help each one. Some may need volunteers, some may need food, and yet others may need personal items, etc. Have information at the ready when you are talking to a homeless person. Giving them a can of food feeds them today, but telling them about a shelter feeds them for much, much longer.

For bigger fundraisers, get the word out! Make flyers, pass ’em out, send emails, do a couple Facebook shout outs – whatever can reach the most people. Even if everyone donated one dollar, it’d be something!

In America, calling 211 or 311 can put you through to the crisis hotline if you find someone desperately in need. The emergency dispatcher may alert someone from the coalition to the area immediately. [6] X Research source

Go big or go home, right? Contact your local newspaper or news station for coverage. Get the word out! You have such a good cause; who’d say no? Get the word out on social media and tell all your friends – you’ll need back up!

Right now the “Bring America Home Act” is trying to be pushed through legislation. [8] X Research source For more information, visit the National Coalition for the Homeless’ website. In addition to pre-existing efforts, write letters! The more letters your rep gets, the more he or she will have to sit up and take note.

Start attending committee meetings, for starters. Get to know the people you need to get to know. It’ll be hard to start momentum all by yourself. Other people probably feel the same as you do – you just need to team up!

You can also feed the habitat workers! Contact your local division to ask if you can sponsor lunch or, heck set up a lemonade stand. Every bit helps!