Helping the Homeless

A few weeks ago my husband and I went to Los Angeles, CA to visit our son Ben who attends UCLA.  I was amazed at all the homeless people on the streets in the affluent area of Westwood; right around UCLA.  On almost every street there were two or three homeless people carrying with them all their earthly belongings in a cart.  Some held signs, some begged or called out as we passed by.  It always breaks my heart to see these people standing in the streets or by the roadside and I am moved to do something for them.  It troubles me that they are somehow not being helped by agencies set up to do so or they have no one to help them get the help they need.  I am not sure I understand or can understand their plight, but I continue to be burdened about it in my soul.  Many times I have wanted to hand them some money but feel reluctant to do so because I don't know if they will spend it on food or needed items instead of on cigarettes, alcohol or drugs.

An incident in LA happened one morning on our way to breakfast.  A homeless man called out to us for a cigarette.  We told him we didn't have a cigarette.  That seemed to be all he wanted because he stopped asking.  We went to the restaurant and ate our breakfast as we saw the man across the street continue to ask others for a cigarette.  Before we left the restaurant, we bought him a breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee and went across the street to give it to him.  Again, he asked us for a cigarette.  We told him we didn't have that but we had brought him breakfast and some coffee.  He got the biggest grin on his face and thanked us profusely.  We told him God loved him.  That was a very small act of kindness but if everyone did that, maybe it would make a difference in these people's lives.

I came back home and wanted to do something so that I would be ready to help when I see these people on the streets or by the roadways.  I purchased some items from the Dollar Store and put them in gallon ziplock bags.  You could use quart bags and put in fewer items.  Keep a bag or two in the car with you or take them along on trips where you know you will encounter homeless people such as in bigger cities.  The items I put in my bags were:

• Socks
• Wet Wipes
• Comb
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Gum 
• Cough Drops
• Deodorant
• Nail Clipper
• Razor
• Chapstick
• Tylenol
• Soap
• Kleenex
• Granola Bar
• Gospel Tract

I tried to think of items that were practical and useful and would meet immediate needs they might have.  Hygiene items, small food items or snacks, small clothing items such as hats, mittens or gloves would all be things that will fit in a ziplock bag and be useful to the person.  I also included a gospel tract because ultimately they need the Lord; as we all do!  

I hope this inspires you to be ready to help the homeless in your area when you are out and about. We are to be Jesus hands and feet and what more practical way than blessing one less fortunate than we are.