The traditional image of the holidays is one of happiness and abundance. It’s that time of the year when family, food, and festivities are all tied up in a picture-perfect bow. Unfortunately, that image is a fantasy for many. This rings especially true for folks experiencing homeless, as lack of opportunity and access can exacerbate an already dire situation. A time of year that is celebrated as a season of family and fortune, can feel daunting, especially for those who are homeless, as the cheerful mood and decor highlight the discrepancies in their lives even more. What should be a happy time shared with family becomes riddled with loneliness, hunger, and sadness. But at The Midnight Mission, we believe the holidays should be an uplifting time for everyone, regardless of their current place in life. We also bring forth many ways in which the community can rally and lift those who are homeless during the holidays.
The Holidays Are Difficult For People Experiencing Homelessness – How You Can Help
Homelessness does not discriminate. It can impact not just individuals, but entire families. Even those who have found a temporary reprieve by way of shelter or income may be struggling with food insecurity, hygiene essentials, and resource availability. Some may be grappling with the reality that they may not be able to provide their children the warm and sweet holidays they deserve. Loneliness and hopelessness can become amplified, worsening mental health conditions that could affect them and also the people surrounding them.
Fortunately, there are ways to help those of us who are less fortunate. The holidays are about giving – not just to those around us, but to those in need. There are simple things that can be done by anyone to help uplift others and provide a brighter, more joyful holiday.
Donate: Most communities have a variety of ways to donate toward causes that assist homeless people. At The Midnight Mission, we have been helping transform lives for over 110 years, much of which is thanks to the generous donations that help change the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Most communities have organizations that accept donations of money, non-perishable food items, toys, and more. Local businesses often showcase families that people can adopt to provide Christmas gifts. At the Midnight Mission, plenty of opportunities exist to play a vital part in assisting those experiencing homelessness in the city of Los Angeles.
We accept monetary donations that include cash, check, credit card, or electronic fund transfer (EFT), a gift in kind i.e. in the form of food, clothing, and other supplies, a gift catalog where you can find gift ideas for donation, legacy gifts by naming The Midnight Mission as a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance policy, or retirement fund, tax-deductible charitable contributions known as matching donations, and more. In the spirit of the holiday season, we are currently accepting donations to stand with those experiencing the toughest challenges as we gear up for our annual Thanksgiving Street Fair. This celebration of community will bring live music, hygiene distribution, and a warm, delicious holiday meal to over 2,500 members of the Skid Row area.
Volunteer: Not everybody is in a place to donate financially, and that’s okay! There are other ways to help give back this holiday season. At The Midnight Mission, volunteering opportunities exist in ways small and large, including meal service, clothes sorting, event prep, toys and gifts, tutoring, professional services, general clean-up, mental health outreach, and more. We even offer ways to get your family, friends, or employer involved through group events to further impact.
Show Up: There are many ways to put forward money, time, or effort to extend the joy that exists in your life to others. Beyond donations and volunteering, sometimes just showing up can make a huge difference. The Midnight Mission takes part in many events that unite the community while supporting our cause. This month, you can run with a purpose at the Turkey Trot Los Angeles, and participating in this event is a great way to start a unique family tradition, run off your holiday meal, and contribute to impacting the lives of hundreds of families throughout Los Angeles.
Get Involved with The Midnight Mission to Help Combat Hunger During the Holidays
Becoming an informed member of your local community can help bring positive change. Once you’re aware of people experiencing homelessness surrounding you, it’s impossible to ignore. Seek out organizations and find out how you can help. The Midnight Mission serves the Los Angeles area, centered primarily around Skid Row. Through our Los Angeles Homeless Shelter programs, we provide safe and supportive housing, ensuring that everyone has a place to call home, in addition to that we also offer nutritious food through various meal services, alleviating food insecurity and providing comfort to those in need.
We also provide a clear path to self-sufficiency through a variety of Healthy Living Programs, education, counseling for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, job training, educational classes, and other personal development services. This season, we’re focused on providing comforting meals, events, and a cheerful spirit to those who are experiencing homelessness around us right in time for the holidays. We’d love for you to Step Into The Light this holiday season in transforming lives which The Midnight Mission has been doing for 110 years now.