What Do Homeless People Want Besides Money

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The 7 Best Things to Give the Homeless Instead of Money

I've been running a homeless ministry for six years now. And during that time, I've spent a lot of time with people who were going through a very difficult situation and were struggling to survive.

I'm often asked if it's okay to give a person experiencing homelessness money. And more often than not, I say no. A high percentage of people living on the streets are addicts and giving them money is going to feed that addiction.

Please note that most people became addicts after they became homeless. It was a way to cope with what life was throwing at them. We often think addiction is the cause of homelessness when it is often merely a side effect.

So, instead of giving money, here's a list of 7 things that will brighten a person's day without feeding an addiction.

Socks. On the street, socks are like gold. People usually have to walk everywhere they go, and their feet take a beating. And on top of that, rain, sweat, and no access to a washing machine can create a pretty funky combination. A fresh pair of clean socks will go a long way in improving someone's day.
Snacks. Peanut butter crackers, candy bars, chips, and other small snacks can give someone a good pick-me-up physically and emotionally. Most people on the streets know where to find meals, but it's nice to have a small snack during the in-between times. Walking everywhere burns a lot of calories that a snack can help replenish.
Hygiene Kits. This one is tried and true. A gallon size bag with deodorant, shampoo, soap, and other toiletry items is one of the most helpful things you can give someone. Maintaining personal hygiene is an extremely difficult challenge when living outside. And being smelly and dirty can also make people feel less than human. Just some simple, travel-size items can be a big help. (I go into much greater detail HERE.)
Hats, Gloves, & Scarves. When it's cold outside, lots of people tend to donate warm coats and blankets, which is awesome. However, you and I both know how it is to be outside without gloves or a warm hat and to have frozen fingers and hurting ears. These are small, inexpensive items that make a big difference.
Backpacks. When you live on the street, your entire life consists of what you can carry, and having a sturdy backpack can really make things easier. It doesn't have to be an expensive bag made for hiking the Appalachian Trail. It just needs to be a decent size bag that will hold up under everyday use. And to really go the extra mile, you can put some of the other items on this list inside it.
Shoes. Similar to the socks, it's important for a person on the street to take care of his feet. People often wear old, worn out shoes, and many times they're the wrong size, which can lead to worse issues. Again, this isn't something that has to be expensive; the shoes just need to be worth wearing.
$5 Gift Cards. A $5 gift card to McDonald's or Burger King can be a real treat. Not only does the person get fed, but he can also choose what he wants. And that's a big deal when your life doesn't consist of many choices. This is one of the best ways I've found to brighten a person's day.

So, that's seven things you can give to the homeless instead of money.

Please note that if you really and truly feel led to give someone money, then do so. Ultimately, it's up to that specific person to use that money for good. But if you don't feel comfortable handing out cash or just want to do something a little more special, I hope you'll consider some of the items on this list.

I've found it works really well to just have some of these things in my car, so if I run into someone in need, I can just reach in the backseat and help them.

Have you found other items to give away? Let me know in the comments.

Photo Credit: moorehart via Compfight cc

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About gabe

Gabe spends the majority of the year living and serving in Honduras. He's also the founder and director of the M25 Mission Camp and, during the summer, leads mission trips in Atlanta, GA that connect high school and college students with people experiencing homelessness. Gabe is the founder and editor of BetterMissions.com.