Helping homeless veterans is a great way to show your appreciation.Whether you are an individual or an organization, you can help homeless veterans.Donate food, clothing or professional services to veterans if you are an individual.If you are an organization, you can help homeless veterans by partnering with the VA.
Step 1: You can find a homeless shelter.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs have websites where you can find homeless shelters.You can enter your zip code in the search engine.There is a list of shelters near you.Shelters can be found by calling 1-800-VET-HELP.
Step 2: Donate clothing and personal care items.
Donate clean shirts, pants, jackets, sweaters, scarves, and suits.There are always personal care items needed at homeless shelters.Only new and unused personal care items can be donated.These are great donations because homeless veterans need personal care items the most.
Step 3: Donate nonperishable food items.
canned goods and pre-packaged foods with a clear expiration date are nonperishable food items.Donate canned goods such as vegetables, fruits, and tuna.Donate boxed foods like ramen and macaroni and cheese.Food donations are a great way to support your local homeless shelter because they need to replenish their pantry on a daily basis.
Step 4: Donate money if you can't give food or clothes.
Donate money to your local homeless shelter or charity by writing a check.Money donations allow shelters and charities to give homeless veterans clothing, food, and personal items when they run out.
Step 5: You can offer a homeless shelter.
There are volunteer positions at homeless shelters.Help with clothing, food, and personal items.You can help out at shelters.You can ask about volunteer opportunities at a homeless shelter.If you have a skill like drawing or writing, you might be able to offer something at the shelter.
Step 6: Promote your shelter.
Contact schools, business groups, and churches to raise funds for the drive.You can help promote the homeless shelter by handing out fliers.You can help promote the shelter in your area by calling and asking.
Step 7: Stand Down events need volunteers.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans has a website where you can find out about Stand Down events.Stand Downs can be found in different states in the U.S. on the website.To find out more about an upcoming event, call the contact person.Stand Down events provide homeless veterans with food, clothing, healthcare services, personal hygiene, housing and employment referrals, and benefits counseling.
Step 8: Become a mentor for homeless vets.
Many homeless veterans need help with basic life skills.If you want to find out what kind of mentoring programs are available, contact a homeless shelter or charity.
Step 9: If you are a counselor, you should provide mental health services.
If you are a licensed mental health professional, you can help homeless veterans.You can volunteer at a VA hospital.You can find VA medical centers and hospitals on the website of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Step 10: If you are a lawyer, offer legal services.
Many homeless veterans need help applying for benefits.At a local homeless shelter or charity in your area, you can volunteer your legal services for free or at a low cost.
Step 11: If you are an employer, you should hire a veteran.
Veterans need jobs to get out of homelessness.If you are an employer, you can give homeless veterans job training.You can work with the VA to find entry and mid-level jobs for veterans.
Step 12: If you are a landlord, provide affordable housing.
Setting aside a percentage of housing units for low-income veterans is possible as a landlord.HUD-VASH vouchers can be used as payment for rent if you agree to partner with the VA.If you provide homeless veterans with affordable housing in your city or state, you may be able to receive tax benefits.
Step 13: If you manage an organization, conduct a company drive.
There is a local homeless veterans shelter.Let them know that your company would like to organize a drive to collect items for homeless veterans.Contacts and promotional materials will be provided by the shelter or charity to facilitate the drive.Hosting drives for homeless veterans is a great way to get positive media coverage as a socially responsible company.