Ideas on Inviting the Homeless to Eat

Feeding the homeless helps people gain insight into their plight.

Many communities and organizations will gather to plan an event for the homeless to attend and enjoy a meal. Often this will take place during Homeless Awareness Week, which takes place the week before Thanksgiving. But people can also invite homeless individuals to eat at other times of the year. This is best done at a location where they already gather because many do not have transportation.

Church Potluck

Churches have potlucks more regularly than other organizations and can set aside one of their regular potlucks to feed the homeless. Church members can visit the homeless shelter in their community to extend the invitation. Have servers dish out the meals because many of the homeless may not attend the church and may be uncomfortable in a new place or with new people. To make the guests more comfortable, plan to meet at a park or homeless shelter.

Youth Community Service

School students often must complete a set number of community service hours before graduating or advancing to the next grade. Planning for and inviting the homeless to eat a meal in a park or the school cafeteria is a good way for students to get those hours. They will be able to count the hours it takes to gather and prepare the food, and then serving it and cleaning up. Booster clubs and other youth groups at a school may also plan an event to feed the homeless. This is a good way to build compassion and empathy in young people toward the difficulties faced by less fortunate populations. Visit parks or homeless shelters and post notices to invite homeless people in the community to the meal.

Homeless Awareness Week Activity

Extending an invitation to the homeless to share a meal is something an entire community could plan together, perhaps during Homeless Awareness Week. Contact county and city agencies that work with the homeless every day, and they can help get the word out about the invitation to share a meal. Contact the local media about writing a story about the event and how it will benefit the community. Inviting the homeless to take part in a meal with the community will remind the homeless that they are part of the community, and it will help others be more understanding of the difficulties faced by others.

Invitations While Out and About

In many cities it's not unusual to run into a homeless person or family when stopping at a restaurant to eat. Inviting less fortunate people to dine in a family setting makes children realize the importance of compassion and gives adults the warmth of connecting with others in a positive way. An invitation while out need not be in a formal setting. Often homeless or less fortunate people are outside stores. If the store has sandwiches, grab enough for those in your group and for the homeless who are outside the store and invite all to sit, visit and have a sandwich.

Resources

• National Coalition for the Homeless: Projects
• We Feed the Homeless: Community Involvement
• Hosea Feed the Hungry: Programs