Homelessness is an issue that plagues our city, but sometimes it is difficult to see how the students at St. Dominic can help. While we sleep safely in our warm homes, we need to remember others who sleep outside in the freezing cold.

Understanding and respecting homeless people is a great place to start. Many people are homeless due to factors outside of their control. By recognizing these people as individuals who need our help, we can begin to make an impact within our city.

An easy thing to do is donate money to organizations that help the homeless, such as the Salvation Army or St. Vincent De Paul Society. Donations can be easily and quickly made online. Other easy things to do are donating food or clothing. Numerous parishes have food and clothing drives that are accessible to the public. Large charities such as the St. Louis Area Food Bank are also open to donations.

Volunteering at homeless shelters or soup kitchens can also be very rewarding for you and the people you help.

“I got to know the homeless people, so I got to see a different side of them. People are very grateful and always really nice,” said junior Sveta Wunnenberg.

Creating care packages is a simple thing that can impact a person greatly. When encountering a homeless person on the corner, many people feel uncomfortable giving them cash, so a care package is an excellent alternative. Some things that you can put in a care package are protein bars, crackers, bottled water, mittens, hand warmers, chapstick or deodorant. Simply put some items in a large ziplock bag and keep the package in your car for easy access.

Make sure to do your part this winter to help the homeless. Collectively, we can make a real difference in our city.