When we lived in a big city, we would hit the occasional Costco sale, then go out and hand out blankets, tents, tarps, water, socks, and warm clothing. Also, toys and school supplies.

In a smaller city, donations to the local food and housing groups, school fundraisers to help cover costs for books and supplies for those who can’t afford it, and refilling the neighborhood open-access fridge.

Basic responsibility to pay it forward.

Socks. Underwear. For women, hygiene products.

When I was text book definition homeless (I slept on couches for half a year during college), all I wanted was cheap rent. I feel like we tend to only focus on the homeless we see with our eyes, and not the homeless families out there living in shelters.

Homes. Things like the Tiny Homes project make a huge difference to peoples ability to get back on their feet and access other support channels

better laws.

if houses/apartments are expensive the poor lose first so ensure it is legal to build tiny houses, shared bathroom/kitchen apartments… ensure there isn’t so much paperwork that only expensive places can apply. Be careful about tenat rights - they are needed but don’t lost sight of landlord rights in the process.

some are homeless because society has left no optians - things are getting better but there are still some out there that can’t be anything else because if they get a job their ex takes all they earn anyway.

Unfortunantly the problem is hard. we know from painful experience that the abuse in institutions is often so bad risking freezing to death is the more human option. Be careful that what you propose / support isn’t also worse.

I needed a place to stay where I could sleep, eat, bathe, and apply for jobs (so, internet). I also needed rides to go check out a few cars before I had one of my own. And a place to store a few boxes of belongings.

Physical items would not have helped me in any way (unless you include housing and a car in that–where I was had no public transit).

Edit: There was a very brief period where access to a washer/dryer would have been amazing. Failing that, new underwear and socks.

New socks are always appreciated.

Therapy. Many of the homeless have mental illness and/or substance dependency.

Back when I could afford it, I gave out care packages with foods that could keep without refrigeration and didn’t have to be cooked, basic first-aid supplies, reading material, warm socks, and 2 joints. I’d also want to include hygene products but other than women specific needs and deordorant, there’s not much in the way I could think of that could work even if they don’t have access to water.

Shoes (not worn out) Socks Clean Clothes A Warm Coat A Blanket Food that does not require refrigeration or cooking. Soap Toothbrush, Toothpaste

That would be the minimum to at least help. Money Shelter Compassion Job Training Employment is really what the homeless community needs.

And to prevent homelessness we need; Jobs with a livable wage Workers rights Tax the rich Public, affordable healthcare, which includes dental & vision.

If i was homeless i’d probably want driving to some smaller towns or hooking up with jobs, but the latter is a lot to ask for and nobody seems to do the small town strategy i have in my head, so i guess I truly don’t know what it’s like.

Then again, the decent homeless shelters and charities are in big cities. My city has LOADS but also has/recently had an industry of drug dealers exploiting these charities.

If you want to genuinely help homeless people, go into it being aware that there are dangerous and horrible people who it is not safe to help, who just love exploiting people.

If you want to help the homeless, do it through a charity, i.e making face-2-face contact with ones going through the right channels to get help - perhaps you will encounter people who need directing to these charities or don’t know they exist.

When I lived out of my car, peanut butter was my main staple since it would survive well at about any temperature. I survived off that, bread from a bakery outlet, and, when the weather was cool enough, cheese.

Edit: for non-food, grooming/hygiene supplies are generally good.

Unconditional shelter.

If you are able to do a load of laundry for them, that’s a huge help.

Food, beer, and weed. Not necessarily in that order. We can provide for ourselves pretty well. But those three definitely help with day to day life quality.

Handjobs.