In 2022, nearly 3,000 Calgarians were reported to have been experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, in the same year, the city itself reported only having 1,861 beds to service this homeless population. With such a disparity between government services to alleviate homelessness and the actual homeless population, the question remains: What can ordinary citizens do to help combat this issue?

1. Donate Unused or Old Clothes

With budgets tight for buying new clothing, many shelters rely on clothing donations to service their populations. By donating unused clothes, you can help shelters cut down on their own costs and help provide warmth to the homeless population. Donations are especially important in the months leading up towards winter, due to harsh weather conditions within the city.

2. Volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Center

The Calgary Drop-In Center on 4th Avenue, in downtown Calgary, provides temporary lodging to adults at risk of homelessness. Alongside giving many a place to stay, the drop-in center also hands out food and donated goods, provides medical and addiction recovery services, and supervises belongings during the day.

However, the activities of the center rely upon volunteers putting in their time to provide services. This makes the center a good place to put in volunteer hours and help those in need.

3. Help Make Food

According to the Community Food Centers of Canada, nearly one in four Canadians struggle with buying food. Homeless people are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. If you or your family enjoy a little cooking on the side, programs exist at homeless shelters and soup kitchens where volunteers help prepare meals for needy individuals and families. This provides an excellent opportunity to both help the homeless and improve your cooking skills.

4. Buy Hygiene Equipment

Without a home to bathe in or a sink to brush your teeth, many homeless people unfortunately struggle with basic hygiene. This fact is only compounded by days of living on often dirty streets and using inadequate public facilities. Donating hygiene equipment such as toothpaste, soap, or toothbrushes to shelters will go a long way in helping to alleviate this problem.

Additionally, you can donate to RadiCalgary, a nonprofit organization which operates “mobile hygiene units” across the city, along with hosting regular “pop-up care villages” which provide services to the homeless. A donation to RadiCalgary will help keep these services in operation and help get people back on their feet.

5. Summary

Although solving the homelessness problem may seem like an insurmountable task, it’s important to mention that homelessness rates are actually declining in Calgary, no small part thanks to the actions of everyday citizens who donate their time and money to helping their communities tackle this issue. The examples of actions you can take above, although seemingly simple and obvious, will go a long way in helping make Calgary a better place for everyone.

Sources:

1. Calgary | HomelessHub
2. Emergency Shelter | Calgary Drop-In Centre
3. Community Food Centres Canada
4. What does a homeless shelter volunteer do?
5. RadiCalgary
6. Homeless population in Calgary decreases | CTV News