Ways to Donate

Winters in Michigan can be especially brutal for the homeless and those living in poverty.  

Here are some statistics that you might know about poverty and homelessness:  

• 1.5 million Michiganders struggle to afford basic necessities. 

• More than 1 million veterans are living in poverty. 

• There are 14, 000 homeless people in Detroit, 1/3 of them are children. 

• There are 3300 homeless school-age children in Kent and Ottawa Counties. 

• 1 in 6 children face hunger. Where there’s a need for food, there’s a need for coats. 

Poverty and homelessness are serious issues in Michigan. Here are some ways you can help:  

• Volunteer and donate at a local agency. Not sure what your local agencies are? Call 2-1-1 for a list of local providers. 

• Stay informed about homelessness in Michigan. 

• Connect people to services via 2-1-1. You can’t call on someone’s behalf, but you can make sure people around you are aware of the services.  

• When you see someone on the street, give what you can. Money can help individuals do laundry, buy food, print a resume and so much more.