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.

Staff Spotlight: Kavita Tiwari

By Elizabeth Handwerk • March 17, 2026
“It is rewarding and meaningful to know that accurate data directly impacts planning and service delivery for people experiencing homelessness.”

Community Collaboration in Action

February 27, 2026
As the planning and coordinating agency of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), Homeward staff members work closely with local leaders and community members in participating jurisdictions across our region. Greater Richmond is a diverse area and our localities range from urban to suburban to rural. The needs of those communities differ as well.

Current Homeless Services Programs Are Making a Difference

February 18, 2026
As housing instability and the cost of living continue to rise nationally, and especially in the Richmond region, we’ve seen increased pressure on homeless services. These larger economic forces push more people to the brink of homelessness and add further strain to our current support network for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Collective Action Works

February 11, 2026
We often get questions about how people can help support the work of Homeward and homeless service providers in the Richmond region. One way we to help is talking to your elected representatives about the important work taking place and the need to fund proven, successful programs.

Data with Purpose: Celebrating Margot Ackermann’s Retirement from Homeward

By Elizabeth Handwerk • January 30, 2026
After nearly two decades of dedicated service and impact on efforts to solve homelessness in the Richmond region, Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. is retiring from her role as Director of Research and Evaluation at Homeward . While we will deeply miss her leadership, compassion, and institutional knowledge, we also celebrate the legacy she leaves behind: one that has strengthened our community, shaped data-driven practice, and inspired countless colleagues and partners.

Our Work Matters: Collaboration and Coordination with Street Outreach Partners during Harsh Winter Weather

January 28, 2026
There is incredible compassionate collaboration that happens with trained street outreach professionals and Homeward - the dedicated planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) – each and every day, but especially on days with extreme weather.

Preparing for This Weekend's Winter Storm

January 21, 2026
Most of us have seen the weather reports for this weekend’s winter storm. Any accumulation, let alone what’s forecasted, is disruptive for everyone, especially our neighbors facing homelessness.

5 Questions About The Point in Time Count

January 14, 2026
Later this month, Homeward will organize the Winter 2026 Point in Time (PIT) count for our region. The PIT count takes place annually and has been managed by Homeward since 1999.

Staff Spotlight: Camille Johnson

By Elizabeth Handwerk • January 6, 2026
“There are so many people who are one check or one job loss away from homelessness. We all need to be kind to each other.”

Before the Babies Arrive: A Holiday Story of Collaboration

By Jen Johnson • December 23, 2025
This holiday week, our community of partners proved once again that we do better work together.