Ways to Help People Experiencing Homelessness This Holiday Season

Elizabeth Handwerk • December 4, 2024

The holidays are a time of joy, gratitude, and celebration. It is also a time that the reality of homelessness becomes more visible, standing in sharp contrast to the season's twinkling lights and jolly tunes.  Many of us are inspired to reflect on our blessings and find ways to support our more vulnerable neighbors, whether that be with our time or our resources. Here are just a few ways you can help this holiday season:

1. Create cold weather kits: Create kits with cold weather essentials to be distributed by Homeward staff and volunteers during our community’s Point-In-Time count (PIT) in January. The PIT count is a single night count of people experiencing homelessness in our community.


2. Spread hope for the holidays with CARITAS: CARITAS has several ways to give back this season. You can donate items to their holiday shop, make holiday cheer bags for program participants, help organize donations, or provide a Christmas meal.


3. Give House Warming Gifts: HomeAgain’s Community Housing clients are in need of supplies for their new homes including cleaning supplies (Lysol wipes, bleach, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, trash bags, mop, brooms, sponges), paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins), Household Supplies (new twin/full sheets, new twin/full blankets/comforters, pillows, towels, washcloths, pots/pans, utensils, plates, bowls). Shop directly from their Amazon Wishlist.


4. Spread joy to families in Housing Families First Programs: Fulfill a child's holiday wish list (or an entire family's wish list), provide a child with a new set of pajamas or a coat, fill holiday stockings, make a holiday dinner basket, or donate gift wrapping supplies. Info on how to participate in all of these opportunities is on HFF's website.


5. Collect basic needs and holiday items: Help The Salvation Army collect basic need items for adults and children staying in their shelters, or donate children's gifts from their Angel Tree registry at Wal-Mart.


6. Donate medical supplies, food, and winter gear: Daily Planet Health Services is collecting medical supplies for their diabetes, maternity, pediatric, and therapy programs. They also need pantry staples and winter clothing. All info is on their website.


Thank you! We at Homeward wish you a joyful holiday season. If you If you have questions about Homeward’s work or the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, email info@homewardva.org.


Note: If you are having a difficult time this holiday season, please take care of yourself. If you are struggling with housing, visit homewardva.org/get-help to learn about community resources. If you need to talk to someone, contact the Warm Line at 866-400-6428. It is a peer-run mental health line through Mental Health America of Virginia.

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Homeward today released data from the January 2025 Point in Time (PIT) count, which shows that a significant number of individuals and families continue to experience homelessness in the Richmond region. Lack of housing and economic hardship remain persistent challenges and driving factors for the elevated rates of homelessness in Central Virginia. Additionally, it’s important to note that these numbers do not capture other regional residents who are unstably housed or worried about maintaining a roof over their head.

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As the designated planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, our region’s coordinated network of homeless service providers, Homeward works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We have been following recent developments related to federal funding for homeless programs. We are collaborating with local, state, and national partners to assess the implications for the people served by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and to ensure that there are no further disruptions to support proven solutions to homelessness in our region. Federal funding from HUD has been critical to our local network’s ability to help thousands of regional residents get on the pathway to a permanent home. This person-centered and compassionate work has tangible impacts in our communities. We will continue to monitor this situation closely, update our partners, and support this important work. To learn more about the vital role of HUD funding and its impact in our region, read this recent blog post .

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Amount Includes Over $1.5 Million in New Project Funds

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Our region's collaborative network of homeless service providers, The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) , supports solutions to homelessness that are focused on getting our neighbors off the street and on to pathways to a permanent home. Why is this approach considered a highly effective method for solving homelessness in our region and across the country?

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