Understand the Issues: Educate youself, your friends, your family, and everyone around you on poverty and homelessness on a local, national, and global scale.

Treat with Respect: Sometimes something as simple as treating the homeless with respect and understanding makes the most immediate and real difference.

Stay Politically Aware: Find out how your local, state, and federal representatives stand on the issues surrounding poverty and homelessness. Support living wage laws. These laws are designed to eliminate poverty, but need your support to become public policy.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

http://www.endhomelessness.org/

Raise Awareness: Speak up and speak out! Inform others of the issues.

Be Prepared: Prepare bags with granola mix, bottled water, etc... to hand out when you cross paths with someone in need. Can also include gift cards to local restaurants.

Monetary: Donate money to local shelters and social organizations on the front lines of serving the homeless.

Gently Used: Children that are staying in shelters need toys to play with. Donate gently used clothing, furniture, appliances, toys, books and games to these shelters.

Fundraiser: Recruit your place of business, friends, church, or other social organization to hold a fundraiser for your local shelter or social orgainzation. Talent show, concert, bake sale, craft sale, car wash, etc... Get creative!

Band: If you play in a band, use that opportunity to raise awarness and educate your audience on the issues of poverty and homelessness and share how they can get involved in making a difference.

Serve: Get out there and volunteer....it's as easy as that! Click here to find a homeless shelter in your area.