WAY to HELP the NEEDY in winters
The winter season has kicked in. While many people have the comfort of cozying into that warm blanket or quilt, there are many homeless and poor people in the city, who struggle really hard to just survive in this cruel time of the year. Night shelters for the homeless come as a relief to many in big cities yet, they are hardly enough, considering a large number of the needy.
A large number of homeless spend their winter nights out on the streets without blankets or woolen clothes and sometimes without food. And the whole night is a battle of survival for such people that some win and some lose.
Can we help these people survive the chilly winds? Of course, we can! All we need is some will.
Here’s what can be done to support the poor & homeless who sleep under flyovers and footpaths.
1. Donating Blankets
Warm blankets are a much-needed essential for a whole lot of deprived people. You can arrange some blankets and donate them to shelter homes, temples, NGOs, and charities that are running blanket donation programs.
A few social service organizations have come forward for the noble cause.
For over a decade, Vishwa Jagriti Mission (VJM), under the gracious guidance of HH Sudhanshu ji Maharaj and Dr. Archika Didi Ji, is also carrying out a blanket distribution drive so that the needy can have their share of warmth during the winters.
This year also, blankets will be distributed to poor destitute people on New Year Day, 1st January.
Anyone can participate in the blanket distribution drive by gifting a meager amount to give the needy a well-needed touch of warmth amidst the cruel winters..
2. Offer ‘life-savers’ lying uselessly in your cupboards
We all have that sweaters and jackets we haven’t worn in many years. They are lying uselessly in a corner of the cupboard. Let’s give it to someone who’s in dire need of such clothes. These clothes are not less than life-savers for them.
3. Arrange a humble hot beverage/food camp
In the chilling weather, a small cup of hot beverage, like tea, works as a great relief. You can plan to organize a ‘tea camp’ in your vicinity where underprivileged people would be living. If you want you can also arrange a food camp or support any social service organization organizing such camps regularly.
Remember, even a modest gesture of warmth boosts the morale of the destitute. They don’t need more. If even 100 people in a city with a population of Crores will come forward, it will bring relief of warmth to the lives of thousands of deprived people.
Let’s be the ‘one’ among the 100.
4. Spread awareness about organizations helping the needy in winters
Many organizations and NGOs offer winter-care support, like warm clothes donation, to the needy for free. Inform the needy people around your locality about such organizations and help them in taking care of their wellbeing during the winter season.
5. Offering groceries
There are people out there who could barely manage basic meals in winters because of low mobility. This winter, donating groceries can be a noble idea. You can arrange oil, spices, Atta, rice, biscuits or anything that you want even in a small quantity for 50-100 needy people. It will give them relief in winters.
So, there are many ways to help the needy in winters. All you need is a little will.
This winter, be a little generous and give a touch of warmth to those who desperately need it in order to live on.
Happy giving!
