Winter is coming
Way back in March, we wrote a blog post detailing exactly how we’re helping with the COVID crisis. In addition to monetary donations, we donated sheet sets, fitted sheets, flat sheets, and pillowcases to Denver-area homeless shelters.
Now that winter is fast approaching, we thought we’d write another post about the ongoing crisis and reiterate how it affects the particularly vulnerable homeless population – and how we can help.
Homelessness during COVID
In 2019, more than half a million people were homeless in America on any given night. Since then, things have only gotten worse.
In addition to unstable housing, food insecurity, and poverty, the homeless, like the rest of us, are trying to fend off the coronavirus. The big difference is the homeless are more likely to get infected and die from this highly contagious disease.
The reasons for this range from lack of testing to lack of guidance to overcrowded shelters, and, consequently, an inability to practice social distancing.
What we can do to help
While we may not be able to prevent every single instance that leads someone to become homeless, there are ways we can help alleviate their suffering. And because the pandemic hits the homeless harder than most, now is a great time to take action and help someone in need.
Donate to the homeless
Donating money or essential items–like shoes, shampoo, books, and furniture–is a great way to help. You can give to a non-profit like Goodwill or United Way or directly to a homeless shelter near you.
S&G and #Give2Sheets
Since our founding three years ago, Sheets & Giggles has encouraged people to give their old sheets to the homeless under our #Give2Sheets program.
Blankets and sheets are the #2 most-requested item at homeless shelters (behind socks). So if you donate your old sheets, we’ll give you 10% off your next order of eucalyptus sheets.
More resources and tips
The sad and troubling truth is that just about any one could wind up homeless at any time. We could lose our job, get evicted, lose our home to a natural disaster like a wildfire or hurricane and suddenly find ourselves on the street – sometimes all it takes is one bad break.
So if you’re experiencing homelessness or you know someone who is, the good people at MyMove.com made a handy infographic to help.
The infographic on Homelessness in America includes local resources, ways the community can help, a list of state and federal support programs, and how to handle COVID while homeless.
Check it out:
If you want to learn more ways you can help the homeless during the pandemic–and, frankly, where we pulled a lot of the info for this blog post–check out this article from MyMove.com.