The Little Things: Making a big difference for National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Month

We all want to make our community a better place. Sometimes, though, finding the time to be involved is the most difficult part of getting involved. Here we will offer a few simple, impactful ideas for small acts that can make a big difference.

Founded in 1975 at Villanova University, National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week (Nov. 11 through 19) offers communities across the country the chance to join together in both dialogue about and action to ameliorate homelessness and hunger.

Liz Dillard, of the Homeless Resource Network (2221 Second Avenue, Columbus), spoke with us, to help clear up some misconceptions about our local homeless population.

“Most people experiencing homelessness didn’t think it would happen to them,” Liz says. Of the people her organization aids, some are without a GED, while others have Master’s degrees. Liz stresses that “homelessness is an experience, not all that a person is.”

This is important to keep in mind. As Liz points out, there is no place in the 50 states where a person can afford housing on minimum wage, even working full time. The resultant economic insecurity keeps many people at risk of homelessness.

The good news is that there are many things we can do, many of them which require a only few minutes of effort. First, Liz says, is to partner with organizations already working with the homeless. For example, the Homeless Resource Network provides the invaluable service of offering people a place to store their things, and for this backpacks, suitcases and storage are always in high demand. Have some luggage taking up closet space, a school backpack no one uses, or unused storage bins? Dropping off these items at the Homeless Resource Network can make a big difference in the life of a person experiencing homelessness.

In fact, if you take a few minutes to look around your home, you’re likely to find a number of under-used items that can improve another person’s life. Shoes, sneakers and workbooks are always needed, as are winter coats, hats and gloves. As cold weather approaches, donating these items will not only warm your heart but also keep someone else warm through the worst of the upcoming weather.

You might not think of office and cleaning supplies when you think of things to donate, but Liz says they need these things, too. After all, organizations like the Homeless Resource Network have to keep an office to continue their good work. 

More than anything, Liz says, we can always volunteer our time, however much time we have to offer.

We also spoke with Daphne Caldwell of the Home for Good, a program of the Chattahoochee Valley United way charged with implementing the city’s ten year plan to end homelessness. Daphne reiterated Liz’s ideas about donation and volunteering. Daphne also stresses the importance of advocacy. Just by talking with friends and family, neighbors and landlords, even local government, individual voices carry weight.

For more information about homelessness in our community and ways to get involved, please check out the following organizations:

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley

1100 5th Avenue, Columbus

unitedwayofthecv.org

(706) 327-3255

Homeless Resource Network

2221 2nd Avenue, Columbus

homelessresourcenetwork.org

(706) 571-3399