Challenge #40: Help the homeless

Give a blanket to a homeless person.

Make sure you give it to him/her yourself.

“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”

-Peter Marshall

Hey, guys!

This week we’d like you to help the homeless ones once again. The task is quite simple; find a blanket that you can spare, walk to the nearest homeless person and give it to him/her. It doesn’t have to be a new blanket, however, make sure you wash it first.

All of you who have completed our challenge #20: Feed the hungry already read some general information about homeless people, however, we really feel like repeating a thing or two won’t hurt anyone.

Who is a homeless person?

The word itself tells us that this is a person without a home. And that’s exactly how we should see every homeless man, woman or child we run across. We don’t know their story, we don’t know how they got into that position, that’s why we really shouldn’t judge them.

“Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat.”

-Scottish proverb

Of course, you can find some rude, impolite, or even mean ones among them. But that’s totally normal, you can find that sort of people among doctors and lawyers too. All we are saying is that being a homeless person doesn’t make you worth any less.

Facts about homelessness

In case you’re wondering how many homeless people are out there, let us tell you that those numbers are shocking and concerning. According to United Nations, there are over 100 million people homeless worldwide, over 600,000 in the US alone. For more fact about homelessness click here.

Helping a homeless person – why a blanket?

We’d like to elaborate why giving a blanket to a homeless person is a good way to help them:

• the majority of homeless people are malnourished – their bodies produce less heat;
• nights can get really cold;
• concrete and bench get much more comfortable once covered with a blanket;
• in most cases it is better than giving them money since many are “hooked” on alcohol and cigarettes and would spend that money on those instead of buying themselves a blanket;
• it makes you see what kind of a person he/she is – some of the homeless people don’t really appreciate you giving them objects (like a blanket) since they want only money; we believe that a good person should appreciate every kind of help;
• buying something for a homeless person and then giving it to him/her is way more personal than giving them money.

Things you should consider when dealing with a homeless person

We really hope this challenge will be something you’ll do gladly and hopefully it will be satisfying for you to help a fellow human. To avoid turning this week’s challenge into an unpleasant experience for you and to prevent your negative reaction that might offend a homeless person, we decided to write down a few things you should prepare for. You probably know all that, but just in case.

• According to statistics, 20 % of the homeless people suffer from untreated severe mental illness. So you should be prepared for them to react awkwardly. Maybe they’ll even yell at you or start talking some funny stuff … If that happens don’t start a fight with him/her. Remember, that we’re trying to do a good thing here.
• Since a shower is normally located in a home, they usually don’t have access to one. So they might smell weird.
• Like we’ve mentioned above, some might not accept the food you’ll give them kindly. Again, if that happens just walk away.

“While wishing a beautiful snowing for the streets of your city, do not forget also to wish a warm house for the homeless!”

–Mehmet Murat Ildan

Take-home points:

• Donate a blanket to a homeless person.

• All you know about a homeless person is that he/she doesn’t have a home.

• Teach kids to be kind and polite to homeless people.

• There are over 100 million people homeless worldwide.

Like always, do the best you can. 😉

Have a great week.

Love,

Good Earthlings