What are some good ways to help the needy?

Question

I have no imagination at all but I know I don't want to go through any kind of program. I just want to do this on my own. I always think of making food and taking it to the part of my town where I know homeless people congregate but I'd rather try to help them in a different way because there are soup kitchens and Salvation Army very close by. Is there anything I can do that might benefit the needy long term? and I don't mean just homeless people. There are other needy people but I don't know how to do something for them.

Answer 1

There is so much you can do to help...it's impossible to list them all!

To benefit the needy long term;
You could volunteer for a program like Dress for Success, which provides needy people with proper clothes & tips for job interviews.
Or, volunteer at a facility that teaches people how to cook, mend, and basic life skills.
If you know how to garden, you could also teaching others basic gardening skills at a community garden.
If you don't mind volunteering for a Catholic organization, there is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul~ this organization visits the needy in their home or cars. They assist with short term financial needs, deliver food, and work with the needy in trying to get their lives back on track....all with compassion & respect, which is a hallmark of this charity. The ministry is Catholic based but the help they provide is non denominational.

Since advocacy and education is the key to reducing poverty in the US; joining an organization that works towards this goal is also an excellent way to help. To locate the name of an advocacy group near you, call your local state food bank distribution center. Members of the administrative staff often sit on these councils & organizations and can put you in touch with the right group.

I'm also sending you a link of 12 easy things you can do to help the homeless....in ways that many people don't even think of.

Answer 2

Well, since I am a liberal, I'll get shouted down, but oh well! The community can help those in need! Churches are supposed to be a resource for most towns and cities! They could help!
But people have pride, and it is hard to help someone who is trying to do the best they can! If someone needs help, I am sure they go to the best place to get what they need!
Just make sure you donate unwanted clothing to places like Dorcus,or clothing drives! And make sure the soup kitchens have plenty of resources to draw from ! As for the homeless? There are just not enough shelters for them! And there are too many empty and abandoned buildings that could be used! It seems selfish to let them stand empty and useless!

Answer 3

People in need always enjoy someone who will, believe it or not, just sit down and listen. Sometimes that can be on of the best things you can do. Everyone has a story to tell and if you are in need or don't have a family around, you might now always get to tell someone your story. So just sit down and listen to them talk. The homeless also enjoy, socks. Especially in the winter. Toothbrushes and toothpaste and other toilitries are also much appreciated. You could head up a drive of these sort of things. Anything you do will be appreciated by many people. Good Luck and thank you for helping out.

Answer 4

Alrighty, then. You don't want to work in the soup kitchen. How about volunteering at the free clinic? What about Meals on Wheels, or driving the wheelchair bus to take someone to a doctor's appointment? You can cook meals for shut-ins. If you're adept with knitting needles, you could crochet or knit afghans or blankets or lap rugs or shoulder cozies.

Ask at your church if there's someone you can help, rather than going to large groups of people who need help. Sometimes it's easier and more rewarding to help just one person who might be quite grateful for your company and your assistance.

Answer 5

As you can see everyone has their own opinion about this.

Here are some of my ideas:
-You can create baskets of personal hygeine items for women, men or children at a shelter and drop them off with a note that says God Bless or whatever you like
-You can make sock bundles-Go to a $1 and put together same size sets for women, men or children at a shelter
-You can create snack bags for women, men or children at a shelter-not too healthy though but not killing. Throw in some nuts (pea/cashew/sunflower/pumpkin/etc), raisins and breath mints.
-You can make candy bags for women, men or children at a shelter
-you could check the website for a homeless or womans shelter and find out what they have on their wish list-quite a few have them and drop it off anonymously or have it delivered to a website.

i hope this helps or gives you some ideas

Answer 6

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Give of your time, talents, and resources to reputable agencies that are already helping the needy. Giving a dollar to the panhandlers on the street only perpetuates the problem. They all know exactly where to go to get real help.

Answer 7

Most of the answers seem to be addressing the need, not why there are needy, so perhaps you could put your strengths toward educating young people how they can avoid being needy. Its not hard, just involved because most don't think out choices enough.

Answer 8

Besides the obvious-giving them food, clothing and shelter, perhaps friendship, help developing or refreshing job skills and life skills; things like that. I think to truly help someone up, you have to carry them and then walk alongside of them for awhile-until they can on their own. That involves an investment of time as well as resources. But, the reward is truly incredible and worth everything you give!

Answer 9

you could volunteer at a homeless shelter maybe cleaning up the kitchen after they serve the meals . I am sure the shelter would appreciate it . good luck .

Answer 10

donate time and/or money.

go to a local shelter give out soup, go and give them sandwhiches or something.