Helping Those in Need

Right now, turn to someone you know and ask "is there a place for the homeless to go when it's cold?" I bet you most of the time the person will respond "of course". They will not know the details, nor how they know this to be fact, but they just know it. Meaning no offense to who you asked but chances are they are wrong. But it's normal for Americans to think there is a service for everyone in need.

When it is near freezing, I have heard of churches in my area opening up their doors. But I don't know that when it's 50 degrees it's considered cold enough for such luxury.

I'd like to organize a way to help the homeless and those in need. Surely we can figure out a way to redistribute food, clothes, blankets.

Like many of us, I am short on extra money. But being a project manager I know I have the skills to organize.

Bring on the ideas!!!


UPDATE: First Idea
Find where in your city you can donate clothes that go directly to the homeless. I'm not talking about a charity that sells donations to thrift stores. But one that will directly hand your clothes to someone in need.

Here's one in Seattle that takes childrens clothes. Contact your friends and see if they have any of these items around the house.

In the comments post a link to your city's website that helps the homeless.

United Way of King County (Washington State) homeless programs

Animal Charities- Best Friends

Best Friends is an animal sanctuary in Utah. They helped rescue some of the Vick pit bulls, and recently helped in Galveston, Texas.

According to their website:

Best Friends' No More Homeless Pets campaign created a new vision: A grassroots effort to place dogs and cats who were considered "unadoptable" into good homes, and to reduce the number of unwanted pets through effective spay and neuter programs. Since then, the number of dogs and cats being destroyed in shelters has fallen to approximately 5 million a year. There has been much progress,but there is still much more to do.

The next phase of this work – bringing the number down to essentially zero – will take more work and some bold new initiatives. Shelters are crowded with pit bulls, dogs abandoned after being bought from pet stores, stray cats rounded up on the streets and not looking their very best when they’re brought in, and other pets abandoned or neglected.

As the flagship of a grassroots network of people and organizations that care about animals, Best Friends continues to lead the way towards this future. And that's why our purpose remains: A better world through kindness to animals.

Know of an animal charity that deserves a mention? Tell us in the comments section.