What help is available to homeless people?
It really varies by community. I’ve lived in some states where there are very few resources for the homeless. The city in which I currently live has many avenues of assistance. We have a food pantry, food giveaways at several churches, household goods and clothing hand-outs, major meals (hot holiday meals served), a free medical clinic, free dental checkups for homeless children, our armory becomes an overnight shelter during the rainy winter months, and a back to school back-pack and school supply handout for homeless children. Homeless children also qualify for a breakfast and lunch program at the schools (as do other low income children). Our Salvation Army also has a Santa’s gift giveaway at Christmas for the homeless children. And, during emergency evacuations and disasters which make people become homeless, our local Red Cross Chapter gives away vouchers to hotels and motels to accommodate those who are temporarily homeless.
