From Thanksgiving to giving: Time to help the less fortunate

As we look forward to Thanksgiving, we reflect on what we’re thankful for, but it’s also a time to think about those who are less fortunate. There are numerous reasons why it’s an especially important time to help those out who may have nowhere to go.

“This is such a important time of year to think about our neighbors who are living unsheltered,” Camillia Walter with weekly newspaper Real Change told Seattle’s Morning News. “The homelessness crisis is continuing to grow unchecked in Seattle, and at the last Point-in-Time Count we had 6,320 people who were sleeping unsheltered outside in our county.”

“For the first time, this number surpassed more than 50 percent of the overall homeless population in King County.”

Whether it’s the Union Gospel Mission, Mary’s Place, or Real Change, this is the season where dozens of organizations depend on your donations to sustain them year-round, and when conditions get even worse for those on the street.

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“As the weather gets colder, more and more people are without shelter in our city. It’s a great time to think about how to support our neighbors sleeping outside and giving back.”

Real Change was established as a way to give homeless people a living without begging. It provides a voice for the homeless in the community, and is sold locally by more than 300 homeless and low income people.

“It’s dangerous to be sleeping unsheltered, especially as the weather gets colder as we can’t get enough people inside,” Walker said. “They’re at-risk to the elements and not getting the correct healthcare access that they need.”

“It can be as simple as buying a few extra pairs of socks and tossing them into a donation basket. All of that warm weather gear — hats, socks, gloves, hand-warmers and foot-warmers — all of those can make a big difference.”

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