Ways to help others without giving cash

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, August 16, 2006

There is a minority of people who would agree with the recent letter that suggested “homeless people should move to Mississippi.” (Aug. 6, “Welfare is a growth industry here”).

For the intelligent folk who read The Herald’s Opinion page and would like to offer assistance to the homeless but are not sure how, I offer the following:

1. Keep a $4 case of bottled water in your car to distribute to individuals.

2. Protein bars help, too.

The point is – don’t give money.

Furthermore, give to individual homeless you encounter, because missions horde donations, rather than distribute to the most needy.

Other essentials: $1 ponchos, hand sanitizer, roll of tissue, chapstick, flashlights and batteries, clean socks – use your imagination. It will bring you joy.

ERIN KELLY

Everett