Reaching a hand out to the homeless

My Sunday Viewpoint column on my down-and-out childhood and important lessons learned has been reprinted, well, lotsa lotsa places, including the Dallas Morning News, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Houston Chronicle, the Montreal Gazette, and even as far away as the Daily Dispatch in South Africa. Consequently, I've been plugging away at answering lotsa reader mail. One pastor from North Carolina noted how much churches do to help the homeless; it was, indeed, a Catholic school where I found help as a kid. Others shared their own personal stories of hardship. And there was this letter from a reader of the Akron Beacon Journal:

"I have always thought about this very topic and your article touched me. Unfortunately, I am not sure if or how to act on my feelings. I would love to know if you are aware of any type of organization dedicating themselves to the humaness of homelessness; therfore offering every season as a season of giving respect and recognition."

In my column, I wrote about some of the everyday gestures that anybody can extend one-on-one to the homeless. In Los Angeles, we have people like Ted Hayes, who tirelessly advocates for the homeless. If you have advocates like Ted in your town, help their mission with fundraising activities or appealing the issues to your elected representatives. Remembering that so many of the homeless are veterans, there are opportunities to help with the Disabled American Veterans, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, or the National Veterans Foundation. Visit a local shelter and ask what you can do. Are there homeless folks in your neighborhood? Make a game plan with your friends, neighbors, fellow church members, fellow Rotarians, etc., about how to help. Remember that many programs to help the homeless are mired in bureaucratic red tape, and that many homeless need a bite to eat now -- so don't be afraid to brown-bag a few lunches and just hand them out.

One reader suggested using decommissioned military bases to house the homeless. Any other ideas on how to help? Post 'em here!