message about what homeless people need on the street. (I no longer remember who it was, so I can't credit her.) I copied it and share it with my students every semester. Here it is:
What do people need on the street? Many things.
Posted on a message board by a formerly homeless woman.
Something that is a necessity is a good size pack. When you are out there, it is your home. It is something that is in short supply. So if you have a school pack that is the kind a high school kid would carry and is no longer using it, please donate it. Even a rolling suitcase is useful. Rolling backpacks are a dream come true! And if you have a messenger bag that you don’t use, please donate it. They are great for carrying paperwork in. Believe me, when you are homeless, you have a lot of paperwork you need to try (the big word) and keep with you.
Another thing is dark color blankets. They are used all year long. The dark color works as camouflage at night while one sleeps. So, light or heavy in weight, if they are dark the homeless need it! If you have a dark sleeping bag you don’t want anymore, it would be great to. The street is not very soft.
So many could use reading glass. Prescription glass as well. Many places have an eye glass drop off to help people that cannot afford them. Sun glasses, all year around, are need. One must protect from the sun and wind. So if you see some cheap reading glasses at one of those $1 shops, pick a couple up to donate to your local shelter to give out and sunglasses too! You would not believe how much they are needed!
Pens and paper are a great help. I know that sounds odd. But when you are trying to find work or take down information to remember later, you need to have something to write on and with. Folders with pockets are great too. You will not believe how much paperwork is involved when you are in poverty and worse. Sometimes it feels like a full time office job just to get help.
Something some may see as odd is batteries, but they are needed for flashlights and, for the lucky few, radios. The flashlights are a necessity, but the radio can be a life saver in and before foul weather. Information is vital when on the street.
Besides the usual cloths like jeans (jeans are a major thing for women and men), everyday shoes, and t-shirt (sweat shirt and coats in winter), the homeless also need cloths for getting work. Believe it or not there are people out there that are in need of black or khaki slacks, dress shoes, blouses/ white dress shirts, and everything else one need to dress for work are a must have to get a job. The dress codes for department stores, call centers, etc. are what is needed on top of the usual needed cloths. Oh, and underwear! For both sexes (bras are an extreme luxury for a homeless woman and you can’t look nice without one). You would not believe how little underwear can be found at the places that help with giving out cloths to the homeless. Socks, belts and Rain gear is a big plus too!
And here is something to think about too. Ladies with one piece swimsuits you no longer were, please donate. The swimsuits can buy some time if a woman is sexually attacked. The culprits want to do there dastardly deed and get out of the area. The one piece as well as what is worn over them is a time consuming situation that those that want to do harm cannot afford to put up with.
Wallets, glasses cases and phone cases: These are something that is very useful. The government phones do not come with holders and that makes it hard to take care of. Those phones are your only way to reach help in an emergency and get contacted for a possible job. The phone holder, glasses case and wallets make it easier to keep your ID, food cards (many food banks that help with homeless food packs use an ID card and you also need to keep your food stamp card safe) and many other needed cards in and safe. And the glasses case to keep one’s glasses safe. If you have any that you don’t use anymore, please donate them. They will not go unwanted!
Another thing is Maxis and Tampons. Yes, the women need them. But did you know that the guys will carry Maxis’ as part of a makeshift first aid kit? Things one needs to treat wounds are big, everything from decent bandages, peroxide, alcohol, and anti-bacterial ointment. So is hygiene in general. Stuff like travel size shampoos and soaps, even Foot Powder is in high need. And another big one that is asked for at walk-in centers and shelters is toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Toilet paper is also something that is big as well. With a pack on, many cannot go into certain places, so they have to use port-o-potties or park bathrooms. Those choices may or may not have TP, so one learns you must carry your own.
Something else that is also worth its weight in gold is water bottles. The kind that you can fill in a park bathroom or drinking fountain. Having water is something that is very important; there has been many a death due to not having water to drink out there. I remember seeing many homeless get taken away in an ambulance due to being dehydrated. Eating utensils are a nice thought too! Spoon fork and knife is something that are so nice to have. And a can opener! I had been given cans of food but had no way to open it.
The last thing many don’t think of is pet food and leashes. That’s right, pet food and leashes. Many homeless have dogs, some even have cats. They are, for many, what is left of their family. The animals watch them and they watch out for the dog or cat. It is such an attachment that those that do have pets will not go to shelters due to the no pets allowed rule at many. It is that important, the pet is their family, what is left of love. I have seen the attachment so strong that if something happens to that pet, the owner will not be long for this world. The food to properly feed them as well as the leashes to keep legal is in need.
Speaking of keeping pets legal, another big thing that has started to happen is groups that are making sure that the homeless pets get shots and licenses. They ever try to help get then spaded or neutered. If you have a group in your area helping with this, donations to buy the shots are welcome in a big way!
For those that are looking for something to do, I hope that it gives you some ideas. To those that are reading this and remembers that you have some of this stuff and you aren’t using them, please donate!
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