'Tis the Season to be Giving

At this time of year, we’re often preoccupied with getting the right gifts, putting up the lights, or finding the perfect ugly sweater to wear to the next holiday party. In the midst of all this holiday fervor it’s easy to forget about the people who don’t have the money to buy gifts for their children or even a home to decorate with holiday lights. The City of Portland is home to 600,000 people, and over 4,000 of those people will be homeless during the holiday season. This year, let’s all take more time to lend a hand to the people experiencing homelessness this winter. Just because you can’t put a roof over someone’s head doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference. There are many meaningful ways you can help the homeless around the holidays.

1. Donate food, funds, or time-- According to a study done by End Homelessness, one in two food bank users are children, and since the recession, visits to food banks have increased by 45%. Help ensure that kids have enough food to eat through the holiday season. Many agencies are looking for volunteers to help with activities like sorting donations, serving food, and wrapping gifts.You can also put together a care package with the basics; winter clothing, toiletries, and gift cards for groceries. These items seem “routine” but significantly ease the strain of day-to-day living for individuals and families in need.
2. Contribute to a toy drive-- Holidays are a particularly stressful time for homeless parents and low-income families. This year, donate to a toy drive. You can drop off unwrapped toys, gifts, and gift cards to any toy drive. These items can help provide some holiday cheer for Portland children and families struggling to make ends meet.
3. Lend an ear-- The homeless are a vulnerable population, subject to a number of stereotypes and often treated as if they are invisible. Many people without permanent housing say that the loss of dignity that comes with homelessness is harder to deal with than the actual loss of physical things. Even if you don’t have money or time to donate, try smiling, saying “good morning,” or acknowledging the homeless when you pass them in the streets. Treating the homeless with respect is a small step in the right direction towards eradicating stereotypes and changing the way we think about our homeless population.

It’s important to remember that the homeless struggle not only during the holidays, but year-round. If you’re able to donate time, funds, or food this season, consider making it a monthly habit. We should all aim to spend a little less time on the couch with Netflix, and a little more energy getting involved in our communities in the new year.

-Lynette Daigo