6 ways to help the homeless without giving $

If you don't like to offer the homeless cash, here is a list of ways that you could help the homeless instead. 

• Take them out to lunch! Pay for their food, and have a civil converstaion with them. They have facinating stories, and often are heavily deprived of good, real conversations.

• Give them a bus pass or bike so that they can get to their job if/when they have one. I'm not sure if you've ever had to walk somewhere that you normally drive to every day, but it takes way longer than the 2 minute drive you are used to. Giving them a bus pass or bike will start them on the journey to get a job, which can lead to getting off the street.

• Keep bags in your car that include essentials such as soap, washcloth, socks, food, and a water bottle. If you see someone near a grocery store, you can ask tell them to come with you through the store, and you'll get them whatever they need right then and there.

• Donate clothes, furniture, etc. to a Salvation Army donation center. This is a win/win all around, because not only do you get rid of some things cluttering your home, but you allow for the Salvation Army to get the money when they sell that item to help others AND create jobs for the Salvation Army to hire people to keep the store running smoothly. (I have seen with my own eyes how they hire as many homeless as possible to help get them off of the street faster.)

• Give the $ you would have given to the homeless man/woman to an organization that helps the homeless, such as the Salvation Army. Therefore you will know with peace of mind that it is going to HELP, not hurt. Trust me, the Salvation Army could help so many more people if donors would send the money to them instead of to the homeless man on the street corner. (By the way, I am not a Salvation Army employee, just a passionate volunteer and supporter.)

• Pray for them, whether that means as you are driving by in your car, or meeting with them over lunch. Pray with them if possible. Let them know someone cares! Even if they don't believe in God, they most likely will not be offended if you offer to pray with them. Hold their hands when you pray over them, and spend time in that moment of being their with them, and inviting God there as well. "For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there I will be also." - Matthew 18:20

In all, do what it is that you feel God is calling you to do in that moment. Don't make excuses. Don't hesitate. It's going to be uncomfortable. That's ok. God calls us to do uncomfortable things, but that shouldn't force us not to do them. Pray and seek what it is God is calling you to do. If it's nothing, praise God. If it's something crazy, praise God. If it's rather do-able, praise God. In everything, praise God.