The following was published by King Co. (Seattle) to give people ways to help the homeless. Most of them are specific to Seattle charities, but they could be adapted to many areas.

1. Donate complimentary shampoos, soaps, etc. from
hotels to the YWCA housing and shelter program.
206.461.4888.
2. Respond with a kind word when you are approached
for a handout for coffee, a meal, etc.
3. Carry fast food restaurant certificates to give to the
homeless who are asking for help.
4. For only $1, buy a copy of Real Change magazine
from a licensed vendo homeless person.
5. Help cook dinner for the homeless at First Avenue
Service Center. 206.441.8405.
6. Organize a food drive through your church, social
group or friends and donate to an agency serving
the homeless.

7. Buy extra sets of school supplies and donate to
homeless children at First Place. 206.323.6715.
8. Hire a day worker from the Millionaire Club Charity.
206.728.5627.
9. Work as a FareStart kitchen volunteer.
206.443.1233, ext. 6214
10. Volunteer to help at Teen Feed in the University
District. 206.522.4366, ext.3.
11. Help homeless kids on Capital Hill by supporting
Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets.
206.726.8500.
12. Make sack lunches for the YWCA?s Angeline?s Day
Center. 206.461.4888.
13. Volunteer to help Seattle Children?s Home?s Street Links
van that provides supplies to homeless youth.
206.298.9635, ext. 2.
14. Help a homeless child at the First Avenue Family
Center with their homework. 206.441.8405.
15. Put your professional talents to work as a volunteer
for one of the nonprofit organizations assisting the
homeless.
16. Volunteer at the University District Youth Center for
their drop-in program. 206.526.2992.
17. Tutor a homeless child at First Place School.
206.323.6715 ext.1307.
18. Donate good quality, work appropriate clothing to
Dress for Success. YWCA 206.325.3453.
19. Adopt a family for the holidays through the Salvation
Army. 206.442.8379.
20. Donate blankets, sleeping bags, and coats to Union
Gospel Mission. 206.723.0767.
21. Make ?welcome kits? with everyday household
basics for the homeless in transition; donate to an
agency of your choice. 206.461.3214.
22. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity to help with
construction of housing for low-income families.
206.292.5240.
23. Become informed, and become an advocate for
community solutions for homelessness.
24. Donate used eye glasses to the Pike Market Senior
Center. 206.774.5246.
25. Adopt an agency that serves the homeless and give
them year round support.
26. Prepare ?birthday baskets? for homeless children
at the YWCA or other agency (cake mix, frosting,
birthday napkins, favors, a gift, etc.).206.461.3214.
27. Volunteer to work with the University Youth Shelter.
206.525.1213, ext. 4204.
28. Donate sweatshirts and socks ? the most useable
clothing for homeless people ? to any of the day
shelters in King County.
29. Learn about the Housing Justice Project.
206.324.9128.
30. Learn more about homelessness. Visit the National
Alliance to End Homelessness website.
31. Donate diapers to Family Services? Baby Boutique.
206.826.3050.
32. Ask a shelter what they need and designate a
donation box at home or the office for the needed
items.
33. Contribute picture magazines to Pike Place Market
Child Care & Preschool. 206.774.5246.
34. Buy a few extra cans of food when you shop and
deposit them in the food collection barrels in the
grocery store.
35. Give your used furniture to The Sharehouse, a
furniture bank. 206.767.5280.
36. Volunteer legal services to Pike Place Market Senior
Center. 206.774.5246.
37. Instead of birthday gifts, ask your child?s guests to
bring items of warm clothing for someone their age.
Give to First Avenue Service Center. 206.441.8405.
38. Donate bus scrip to medical clinics serving the
homeless. 206.774.5246.
39. Donate spare sporting events tickets to an agency
serving the homeless.
40. Volunteer with the University Family YMCA?s
meal/shower/outreach program. 206.524.1400.
41. Volunteer to staff the ?store? at Family Services Baby
Boutique. 206.826.3050.
42. Request an electronic file of this booklet and email
it to your work associates, family and friends.
206.623.0023.
43. Volunteer to help someone move into a new home.
Call the Self-Managed Housing Program of the
Church Council of Seattle. 206.525.1213, ext.
3151.
44. Recognize an adult friend?s birthday by making a
contribution in their name to a charity fighting
homelessness.
45. Conduct a kitchenware drive at your workplace to
help equip new housing units for homeless women
at YWCA Opportunity Place. 206.461.3214.
46. Serve meals on Christmas or Thanksgiving at one
of the homeless shelters.
47. Adopt a shelter at the YWCA Family Village ? clean
and supply it when new families move in.
425.556.1354.
48. Eat lunch at FareStart,1902 Second Ave.or 2326
Sixth Ave. Both preparers and servers are homeless
people learning a trade.
49. Organize a group to spend a Saturday sprucing
up a homeless shelter. YWCA 206.461.3214.
50. Support United Way of King County?s Out of the
Rain Homelessness Initiative. 206.461.3700.