Ways to Help People Experiencing Homelessness This Holiday Season

Elizabeth Handwerk • December 4, 2024

The holidays are a time of joy, gratitude, and celebration. It is also a time that the reality of homelessness becomes more visible, standing in sharp contrast to the season's twinkling lights and jolly tunes.  Many of us are inspired to reflect on our blessings and find ways to support our more vulnerable neighbors, whether that be with our time or our resources. Here are just a few ways you can help this holiday season:

1. Create cold weather kits: Create kits with cold weather essentials to be distributed by Homeward staff and volunteers during our community’s Point-In-Time count (PIT) in January. The PIT count is a single night count of people experiencing homelessness in our community.


2. Spread hope for the holidays with CARITAS: CARITAS has several ways to give back this season. You can donate items to their holiday shop, make holiday cheer bags for program participants, help organize donations, or provide a Christmas meal.


3. Give House Warming Gifts: HomeAgain’s Community Housing clients are in need of supplies for their new homes including cleaning supplies (Lysol wipes, bleach, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, trash bags, mop, brooms, sponges), paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins), Household Supplies (new twin/full sheets, new twin/full blankets/comforters, pillows, towels, washcloths, pots/pans, utensils, plates, bowls). Shop directly from their Amazon Wishlist.


4. Spread joy to families in Housing Families First Programs: Fulfill a child's holiday wish list (or an entire family's wish list), provide a child with a new set of pajamas or a coat, fill holiday stockings, make a holiday dinner basket, or donate gift wrapping supplies. Info on how to participate in all of these opportunities is on HFF's website.


5. Collect basic needs and holiday items: Help The Salvation Army collect basic need items for adults and children staying in their shelters, or donate children's gifts from their Angel Tree registry at Wal-Mart.


6. Donate medical supplies, food, and winter gear: Daily Planet Health Services is collecting medical supplies for their diabetes, maternity, pediatric, and therapy programs. They also need pantry staples and winter clothing. All info is on their website.


Thank you! We at Homeward wish you a joyful holiday season. If you If you have questions about Homeward’s work or the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, email info@homewardva.org.


Note: If you are having a difficult time this holiday season, please take care of yourself. If you are struggling with housing, visit homewardva.org/get-help to learn about community resources. If you need to talk to someone, contact the Warm Line at 866-400-6428. It is a peer-run mental health line through Mental Health America of Virginia.

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