8 Ways You Can Give To A Women's Homeless Shelter

Thanksgiving is three days away, which means its that time where we feel even more compelled to give thanks and give back. And although I feel we should embody this compulsion as a way of life, not just around the holidays, sometimes it is hard to get there (or know where to give, and how), and embrace the art of unconditional giving. So, over the next few weeks there may be a few more posts with ways that I hope inspire giving back--and not just now, but year round. 8 Ways To Give To A Women's Homeless Shelter was an article I wrote for Thoughts By Natalie last month. You can read the original piece--over here ; or read it in full below. To find a women's shelter in your community, you can simply search by starting here.

Over and over, I am reminded of this reality: Our world is fleeting. Unlike me, there are woman who lack the privilege to choose from a closet full of clothes when deciding what to wear. They do not have a full pantry, where come breakfast, are faced with the choice between oatmeal or peanut butter toast. There are women who do not get to choose between hitting snooze or waking up early to go on a run. You see, there are woman (women just like you, and just like me, with personalities, passions, and working hearts and minds) who wear one outfit each day with hopes that maybe, just maybe, they'll get to wash it in a shelter sink that night. There are women, who are given breakfast bags and food despite whether they like it or not. And women who, upon waking up when the sun rises or when the temperature's too unbearable for sleep, do not get to stay in the warm comforts of a bed because bus routes don't care about snooze buttons, and signing up for shelters means early rising. It's these realities, those of the women I have gotten to know and care for while spending nights at a women's shelter—I'm reminded over and over that my comforts are not for keeps.

Many people ask how they can help, or what they can do to make a difference in the lives of homeless women. Not everyone can give up a night or two each week to stay awake while women sleep and find safe sanctuary in a night shelter. And not everyone feels comfortable giving to the individual standing on a street corner asking for help. But before you decide where you fit, and how you are willing to give, remind yourself of this: Your comforts are not for keeps, just as their comforts were stripped. Not everyone who is homeless chose to be that way. And if you can't give anything at all, remember that simply saying "I hope you find a warm place to sleep tonight," can speak volumes to the person who receives them. Because, really, what I've come to know in my time staying with woman at a shelter in Denver each week, is that the biggest things you can give is acknowledgment and words that make that individual feel seen, and even more—valued. In a world where homelessness often becomes invisible to those who are not around it, or choose not to see it, simple words can be the biggest way to give.

A practical way you can give, helping women feel cared for as if they were guests in a dear friends home, is by donating a few things to your local shelter. Women at the shelter often ask for the simplest of things; mostly items that we take for granted or bundle up as our very own comforts.

ONE: Gently Loved Blankets

Think of your coziest spot. It typically involves a blanket. Shelter's are often strapped for blankets that aren't from the "reject" pile, which means many of the women sleep with itchy fabrics or throws that are too small for warmth. The next time you do some cleaning out, and find some cozy blankets in your giveaway pile, perhaps drop it off at a local shelter.

TWO: Brown Paper Bags, or preassembled Breakfast Sacks

Not all shelters provide breakfast bags for the women before sending them off to greet the day. But should they, brown paper bags and ziploc baggies tend to run out of quickly. Donating these goodies can help keep breakfast bags assembled. You may want to check with a local shelter to see if they are in need of preassembled breakfast sacks. Especially if you're a foodie or love to bake, what a great way to give back by baking muffins, cooking hardboiled eggs, and placing fresh fruit all together for the women to enjoy.

THREE: Face Wash

After a long day, how refreshing a clean face feels! Donate travel size, or full size, face wash for the shelter to offer to the women. As many shelter's do not have showers, a sink to wash one's face is a simple luxury.

FOUR: Magazines

I brought magazines into my shelter the other day and the women LOVED it. They told me that the magazines, and books, that are donated get brought to other shelters and rotated around, making reading while laying on their cots before sleep a bit more like home.

FIVE: Soap

This is a daily necessity, and often shelter's run out of a simple thing like soap. Any toiletries are always a great thing to donate, and shelter's are always so thankful for having extras on hand for the women that stay each night.

SIX: Wet Wipes

Travel wet wipes that the women can carry in their bags to and from shelters and around the city are a small comfort that makes a big difference. How great it feels to be able to sleep with clean feet, or use the wipes when a shower isn't readily available.

SEVEN: Socks

Every weekend I have women asking me if we have more socks. And more often than not, we don't. The next time you're at Costco or Ross, pick up a bargain package that is filled with socks that you could give to your local shelter. Warms feet during cold winter days outside can make all the difference. How simple socks are, yet how high the demand is for them at the shelters.

EIGHT: Coffee

When the lights go on at 6 o'clock at the shelter I volunteer at, coffee is surely what gets the women going. Yet, we run out quickly. Typically, it is the hosting church or building that spends their budget on things like coffee beans, cups, creamer, and sugar packets. Donating bulk sized ground coffee may keep that coffee available for the entire month. Think of how much you enjoy your cup of jo--so do the women at the shelter! For those women who set off to go to job interviews, meet with case managers, and walk the cold city streets this fall and winter, that cup of warm brewed coffee can really start the day off great.