05/22/2026
Hello fellow do-gooders, lets wrap up this educational journey with a bullet point recap of all the simple ways you can do your part to help the unhoused and the struggling folks around you.
Remember you can find these tips as well as ways to donate at https://goodsamcarbondale.com/help-now
Day 1 - Recognize them and treat them as fellow humans. You don't need to provide money to acknowledge or greet someone.
Day 2 - Treat them with dignity, realize that the loss of self worth can be more painful than the loss of belongings. Smile when engaging with them and take the time to learn their names.
Day 3 - Provide information on local resources: Keep a list or card of nearby shelters, food banks, or medical clinics to share. This helps connect them to long-term support systems they may not be aware of.
Day 4 - Respect boundaries and autonomy: Always ask before giving or doing anything (e.g., "Would you like a sandwich?"). If they decline, respect their choice without judgment and maintain physical space to ensure both parties feel safe.
Day 5 - Create and distribute "Blessing Bags". Carry care packages in your car or bags filled with essentials like socks (highly requested), travel-sized toiletries (soap, toothpaste, deodorant), and non-perishable snacks like granola bars or bottled water.
Day 6 - Advocate for systemic change: Support policies for affordable housing and mental health services. Organizations like the National Coalition for the Homeless offer alerts on how to contact local leaders about these issues.
Day 7 - Volunteer your skills: Shelters often need more than just general labor; they may benefit from professional skills such as IT support, accounting, teaching, construction, or even hair-cutting.
Day 8 - Consistency Changes Lives
One-time kindness matters. Consistent kindness transforms. 💙
If you’re able, choose one small action to do regularly—preferably one of the pervious tips we had reviewed such as monthly hygiene donations, a weekly volunteer shift, creating care packages, or sponsoring bus passes.
Day 9 - Give monthly to trusted organizations: Smaller, consistent financial donations help nonprofits like ours plan long-term services, such as case management, job training, facility improvements, and overall upgrades more effectively than one-time gifts.
People in Southern Illinois need your help Who We Are Good Samaritan Ministries is a tax-exempt organization, established in 1985 by The Carbondale Interfaith Council, to provide services to the needy in the Carbondale area.Click here to find out more aboutWho We Are What We Do We provide an emergen...
