Non-Profit Wish Lists for Year-Round Giving

Winter is particularly hard on the homeless and those in need. And 2014 was a terrible winter in Michigan. In Detroit, cold temperatures send many to shelters and missions. Agency resources get depleted more quickly during the holidays. Here are wish lists of needed items at Metro Detroit nonprofit organizations. In spring, many missions find themselves short of resources. Here's a list of shelter needs, to keep giving going year-round. Holiday Wish Lists for Detroit Nonprofits

Giving to Panhandlers is Not Good Stewardship, It's Dangerous

I'm generous. I give to known organizations and many random causes. But I will not give to panhandlers for several reasons. We stopped in Grand Rapids, Michigan yesterday for a bite to eat.
A guy approached the car shouting, waving his arms and begging for money. He was wandering in the street disrupting traffic, accosting passers-by. We didn't give anything. But he kept following. I know we feel sorry for panhandlers. But giving them money is enabling and not good stewardship. It's also dangerous. Think hand up, not handout.   Panhandling Is Getting Out of Hand

Bargains, More Importantly Blessings at Fair Trade Christmas Sale

I helped with our fair trade/direct trade Christmas sale at church Saturday. We didn't have nearly the traffic we had last year, but weather was treacherous and cold. I'm hoping that's the reason. And not that people prefer junk stuff produced by slave labor in exploited countries. Sorry, I get ranty about fair trade. And I admit, it's not easy. That's why I felt so good about this sale.   Bargains and Blessings at Our Fair Trade Christmas Sale

Rapid Rehousing, Homelessness Prevention Programs in Detroit

Many Detroiters struggle with homelessness. Just how big is the problem? Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries says 18,000 people won't have a place to sleep tonight. There are several large shelters but not enough to house that many. And as worthy as emergency shelters are, they're only temporary. Preventing homelessness is the key and that's what "rapid rehousing" is all about. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed American Recovery and Reinvestment which funded the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) administered by the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Resource Exchange (HUD-HRE). With the ending of that program last December, the need will be greater. Several organizations in Detroit continue that program model: to get people into permanent homes as quickly as possible.Rapid Rehousing, Homelessness Prevention Programs in Detroit

Adult Homeless Shelters, Rescue Missions, Warming Centers in Detroit

According to Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, over 18,000 people are homeless in Detroit. 30 percent of that number are chronically homeless. Most face other issues: abuse, physical disability, mental challenges, addiction, poverty, joblessness and illness. Fortunately, there are agencies to help. Here are rescue missions, homeless shelters and transitional housing programs for adults. Most all provide or connect clients with food, shower and laundry facilities, education, medical needs, counseling, employment and substance abuse treatment.  Adult Homeless Shelters, Rescue Missions, Warming Centers in Detroit

Wishlists for shelters, missions, food banks

Winter is particularly hard on the homeless and those in need. In Detroit, cold temperatures send many to shelters and missions. Agency resources get depleted more quickly during the holidays. Here are wish lists of needed items at Metro Detroit nonprofit organizations.  Read more

Holiday Wish Lists for Detroit Nonprofits

Winter is particularly hard on the homeless and those in need. In Detroit, cold temperatures send many to shelters and missions. Agency resources get depleted more quickly during the holidays. Here are wish lists of needed items at Metro Detroit nonprofit organizations. If you're looking to donate in your area, use these guidelines for giving. Each charity will have its own list of needs, but these are good basic recommendations.  Read more

Suggested Donations for Thanksgiving Food Drives

It's time to start putting together Thanksgiving food baskets for those in need. With the sluggish economy the need will likely be even greater this years. Here's a list of the canned goods and food donations to give this holiday season. It might seem unnecessary to list suggested items for a food basket. But I've worked at food banks and missions. There are certain foodstuffs and personal items that are donated in abundance and rarely needed. There are also items it seems we always run out of. Note: send foods that can be eaten unheated. Choose cans with pull-off lids. Needy folks don't always have access to appliances or can openers. Best Foods Items to Donate to Thanksgiving Food Drives

Knit, Crochet or Loom? Lend Your Talent Here

My friend Sandie at "Bridge and Beyond" runs a yarn-wear collection site for homeless folks and those in need. If you knit, crochet or loom, why not consider donating a handmade article of clothing? With good-paying jobs trickling away and unemployment (or underemployment) rising, the number of needy is escalating. It's warm now in most of the U.S., but the chill days of winter are coming. Being a Michigan girl myself, I know how hurtful cold weather can be if you're not bundled up. And that's coming from the perspective of one who has a home. Besides worst-case-scenario frostbite, cold, influenza, arthritis, tendinitis--so many health conditions flare up in winter. And that's from an under-50 perspective. It's exponentially worse for older folks and seniors. Please, remember those in cold and get those needles busy. Let's show solidarity with the suffering. August's focus is slippers, but check back often for other needs. Here's that link again: http://homelessbridge.blogspot.com/

Ad majorem Dei Gloriam--
mar

Michigan Homeless Tent Camp Operates Through Winter

A unique kind of homeless shelter exists in Michigan. Camp Take Notice is not housed in a facility. It's a self-sufficiency camp in Ann Arbor, Mich. Camp organizers plan to keep it operational through the winter, says Michigan Radio. I wrote this article last month and only remembered to post it here. If you're looking for a give-back, feel-good kind of mission to support, the residents of Camp Take Notice are more than deserving. Here is information about this community. Read more at Michigan Homeless Tent Camp Operates Through Winter - Yahoo! News

Homelessness and What Taxpayers can do about it

We use vague terms about "needy people," "the poor" and "homelessness." Are people poor and homeless by choice? Do our help efforts enable people to live outside society's boundaries or empower them to make change? Do poor, homeless people really want help? Read more...

Royal Oak SOCH 'Spread the Laughs' Comedy Fundraiser with Mark Green

SOCH 'Spread the Laughs V' Homeless Shelter Fundraiser with Mike Green
South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless (SOCH) presents 'Spread the Laughs V' at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, MI. $30 ticket price includes buffet dinner and comedy of Mark Green, Las Vegas Comedy Festival's 2007 Best Male Entertainer.
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How to Raise Generous Caring Kids

How to Raise Streetwise Kids: Safe and Fearful vs. Open and Vulnerable?
'Street wise' or 'Street smart' is an old expression meaning, 'savvy to the ways of living on the streets and those who dwell there.' Must we choose between kids be 'safe and fearful' or 'open and vulnerable?'
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Homelessness Awareness Update in Indiana

Services and Programs for Homeless and Hungry in Bloomington, Indiana
Homelessness and hunger are worldwide problems. This is a short list of services and programs available for individuals suffering for these things in Bloomington, Indiana.
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Best Food Pantry Donationd for Holiday Baskets, Food Drives

Best Items to Donate to Thanksgiving and Christmas Canned Goods and Food Drives Tis the season for giving and my favorite type of giving is food, grocery and personal hygiene donations for food banks and homeless shelters. Here's a list of the canned goods and food donations to give this holiday season. Best food pantry donations