How do we give a hand up?

From another thread (about clothing)
"The reason I ask is that the context of a verse you mentioned was about how we treat those are poor. Our church is located in an area with a large homeless population (intentionally located there). We often have people dressed as I described above because that is what they own. They live on the streets (they can sleep at the shelter at night but have to leave each morning)."

In this thread lets talk what should our churches be doing about the homeless?
First, why are they homeless?
No job, lost a job, major life altering action, divorce, major financial situation, no vehicle, ect

So what can or should our churches be doing to give folks a hand up?

Salty said:

From another thread (about clothing)
"The reason I ask is that the context of a verse you mentioned was about how we treat those are poor. Our church is located in an area with a large homeless population (intentionally located there). We often have people dressed as I described above because that is what they own. They live on the streets (they can sleep at the shelter at night but have to leave each morning)."

In this thread lets talk what should our churches be doing about the homeless?
First, why are they homeless?
No job, lost a job, major life altering action, divorce, major financial situation, no vehicle, ect

So what can or should our churches be doing to give folks a hand up?

Click to expand...

One of the most important ways is simply showing them love. The homeless are often not treated as people. Show interest. Talk to them. Spend a little time. The most degrading thing I have seen is peoole walking by as if these people were worthless or invisible.

We can feed them. We can help provide necessities. There are outreaches that set up portable showers.

Many are homeless because of drug addiction. Many have mental illnesses (these are the hardest to talk with). But some simply have lost everything.

We cannot, however, solve poverty. But when we see the hungry we see Christ. Not only can we be Christ to them, showing compassion, sharing the gosoel bit they are Christ to us as what we do unto them we do unto Him.

Maybe we cannot help a whole city, but if we start with one or two.....