In a given year, roughly 3.5 million people are likely to experience homelessness, equating to about 1% of the US population (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty). Children make up more than a third of this number.
This week, communities around the nation are shining the spotlight on homelessness. From the National Coalition for the Homeless:
Each year, one week before Thanksgiving, National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness co-sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. During this week, a number of schools, communities and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness.
Homelessness is an issue that directly affects the city of Portland. Watch the video below to see its impact on the lives of people here.
You can make a difference
- Follow us closely on Twitter and Facebook this week to learn more about the national issue of homelessness
- Share the “Hunger and Homelessness” picture on our Facebook page to spread the word!
- Check out our Holiday Help page to see how you can make a difference this season
- Pray for hurting, homeless people and the ministries that work hard to meet their needs and give them hope
- Spread the word to everyone. Tell others about the realities of homelessness and the ways they can help. Don’t forget to celebrate the success stories, too! Homelessness truly does end – one person at a time.