35. Recruit Local Business
One of the easiest ways to involve local businesses is to organize food
and/or clothing drives to aid organizations that reach the homeless. These are
the steps involved:
- Contact your local shelters, food kitchens, synagogues, churches, or other
organizations with programs to help the homeless and ask what types of food or
clothing they need.
- Approach local grocery or clothing shops about setting up containers on
their premises in which people can drop off donations. Give a time frame for
the drive: a day, a weekend, a week. Remember, the longer the drive, the more
arrangements needed for volunteer help, transportation, and storage.
- Ask the businesses to donate goods to the drive.
- Publicize the drive by placing announcements in local papers and on
community bulletin boards and by posting signs and posters around your
neighborhood. Be sure to list the specific types of goods you are seeking:
non-perishable foods such as canned goods, and staples like flour, sugar,
coffee; coats in good repair; clothing that is not too worn or stained, etc.
Mention the organization to receive the donations and the businesses
participating.
- Arrange for transportation of the donations. If you or other volunteers
cannot do it, approach the designated shelter or organization to arrange for
pickup or ask the local business if they can make a delivery.
Real People
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54 Ways You Can Help
The Homeless - Overview