Homelessness is becoming a big problem in most cities in Canada. This is an uncomfortable topic to discuss but none of us can claim that it does not affect us. Sources estimate that 77,000 people are living in the streets every day. What is even more heartbreaking is that a staggering number of 200,000 become homeless every year. All that some of them aspire is some quality mattresses & sleep.
This a sad story of suffering human beings who are out in the streets and they could use all the help they can get. To them, mattresses and sleep is a luxury they can hardly afford. As individuals, there are a few small things we can do to help those whose situations are way worse than ours. Every action you to help the homeless, no matter how small or trivial it may look to you, could mean the world to them.
In this article, we shall look at how each of us can do our bit to help the homeless.
Offer Food Instead of Money
Those who ask for money in the streets are looking for two things; drugs and alcohol. This was put forward to BBC by Rik James who runs the Birmingham Homeless Outreach. He spoke these from experience as he slept in the streets at one time.
The best way to help those in need is to offer them food. Someone who is genuinely in need will accept the food and if they reject it then they don’t need it. A small bag of chips can help out someone who is sleeping rough.
Look up Ways to Offer them Good Sleep
Though it may not be possible to offer the homeless quality mattresses and sleep, there are things you can do to bring a little more comfort. One innovative way to help is looking up The Sleeping Bag Project. This is a fun DIY project with instructions on how to make a sleeping bag out of spare and spare materials. You send over the make-it-yourself sleeping bag to be distributed to those who are in need.
Take Time To Talk To Them
Taking a few minutes to talk to a homeless person will to uplift their spirit. It would help you to understand their plight. You do not have to listen to their entire life story. Just treat them with the kind of respect that you would like to receive if fate were to have you on their feet.
Help Their Pets Too
Some homeless people keep their dogs or cats with them too. These animals may mean the world to them. Offer some cat or dog food to them too to keep their pets going. Even the most hard-hearted would not like to see an animal suffering in the streets.
Every act of kindness makes the world a little nicer. Your actions to help the homeless may not cause a big change but think of the individual that you have helped. Those small actions are better than ignoring the problem at hand.