_This post summarizes and paraphrases key points from an excellent Vox article by Rachel M. Cohen, published December 25, 2023. All credit for the original reporting, research, and expert interviews goes to Cohen and Vox. You can read the full article here: “The best ways to help homeless people”._

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When you see someone sleeping outside, it’s natural to want to help. But it’s easy to feel stuck—unsure of what actually makes a difference.

After a reader asked this very question, Vox reporter Rachel M. Cohen reached out to leading homelessness experts for practical, effective answers. Their advice boils down to a powerful idea: help individuals directly, while also working to change the broken systems that cause homelessness.

You don’t have to choose one or the other. In fact, they reinforce each other.

Here’s what the experts recommend, anytime of year:

1. See Them as People

It starts with something simple: acknowledgment. “Look them in the eye when you walk by,” suggests Natalie Hogg of StandUp for Kids. “Stopping to ask how they are—being ‘seen’ and feeling like they matter means everything.”

2. Give Directly and Dignifiedly

Cash is king. “That enables folks to make their own choices, without red tape,” says Jesse Rabinowitz of the National Homelessness Law Center. “People are the best experts in what they need.”

If you don’t carry cash, consider:

  • Visa gift cards
  • Gift cards to places like Starbucks or McDonald’s (somewhere they can get warm and buy a meal)

Helpful items to keep on hand:

  • In winter: socks, blankets, hand warmers, hats
  • In summer: water, frozen water bottles

3. Donate Smartly to Local Organizations

Call your local shelters (find one here) to ask what they need most—often things like clothes, sleeping bags, backpacks, and tech.

Money is especially powerful because it’s “unrestricted”—nonprofits can use it where it’s most needed, from overhead to programming. Recurring donations are a huge help, but one-time gifts or employer-matched giving also make a difference.

4. Volunteer Beyond the Holidays

Yes, serving a holiday meal is great. But shelters and nonprofits need help year-round. Think about your skills: tech, marketing, tutoring, mentoring? Reach out. They’ll find a way to put your passion to work.

5. Use Your Voice for Systemic Change

This might be the most impactful thing you can do: advocate.

  • Call or write your elected officials and tell them housing is a priority.
  • Show up at city council meetings about zoning.
  • Vote for candidates who support affordable housing.
  • Push back against harmful narratives online or in your community.

“Small minorities of very vocal constituents can have an outsized impact on local government,” says Rabinowitz.

6. Educate Yourself and Others

Homelessness is surrounded by myths. Share facts. Did you know 2.5 million children experience homelessness in the U.S. each year? Talk about it. Post about it. Change the conversation.

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The bottom line: Helping isn’t just a holiday activity. It’s a year-round commitment to both compassionate action and political change. Start small if you need to—a smile, a pair of socks, a phone call to a councilmember—but start somewhere.

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_Again, this is a summary of the original Vox reporting by Rachel M. Cohen. For the full article with complete expert quotes and additional context, please read the original here: Vox - The best ways to help homeless people._