Published November 1, 2026
The week before Thanksgiving is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a time where people across the country draw attention to the issues of hunger and homelessness in the United States.
Started back in 1975, this week focuses on providing education around homelessness, as well as increasing fundraising and advocacy for anti-poverty agencies, like the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, who are working to to support those living without a home. It’s a perfect time to take action in support of those who need it most in our country—so, how can you get involved this week?
Learn More About Hunger and Homelessness in America
One of the first steps you can take is to educate yourself about the current state of hunger and homelessness in the United States. Currently, there are more than 37.2 million Americans who are living below the poverty line, with 44 million suffering from hunger. 1 in 6 American children live in poverty, and on a typical night, 580,000 Americans are homeless.
Experiencing homelessness can be dangerous. People who live without a home are 17 times more likely to experience violence than the general public and are 9 times more likely to die by suicide.
Right now, the lack of low-cost housing and housing assistance programs, as well as the high cost of renting and owning a home majorly contribute to the hunger and homelessness crises. Currently, the national minimum wage is $7.25, but the wage someone needs to afford even a one-bedroom rental is $21.21, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
When someone isn’t able to pay their bills (food, utility, housing, childcare, healthcare, etc.), they are forced to decide what resources they can cover and which they have to do without. That’s why, even though hunger and homelessness are both their own issues with unique causes, the two can be intertwined, since people living in hunger might have decided to pay for their home and shelter instead of paying for groceries. Eventually, if people continue to struggle to pay their bills, they may decide not to pay for housing any longer, since it takes up such a huge part of monthly expenses.
There is a big myth that people experiencing hunger or homelessness should just find a job and that will solve all their problems, but unfortunately, that is not such a simple solution. Depending on the economy, there might be a lack of jobs available, and even if someone manages to find a job, it doesn’t mean their new wages will provide them with enough money to escape from poverty.
In addition, the decline in available public assistance, the lack of affordable healthcare, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction can all be causes of homelessness. All of these are complex situations that don’t have one simple solution, and that’s why Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week was created—as a way to tell people about the complexities of hunger and homelessness and to try and support the people experiencing either or both.
Volunteer
One great way to make a difference this Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is to volunteer your time to organizations working to make a difference.
There are many national programs that you can take part in, such as “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote,” which helps register people experiencing homelessness to vote, or “Housing Not Handcuffs,” which works to end the criminalization of homelessness and pushes for housing as a basic human right.
You can also volunteer at one of the many shelters in the Indianapolis area, many of which are listed in this helpful guide. Whether you help distribute food, offer to build/fix homes or shelters, organize an event at a shelter (such as a food or clothing drive), or simply spend your time with the people at a shelter, there are many ways you can offer your support.
Make a Donation
You can also make donations, whether of money or physical items, to organizations and shelters who support people who are hungry or experiencing homelessness.
If you’d like to make a monetary donation, you can donate to some of the national organizations that we’ve mentioned in this article—National Coalition for the Homeless, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Not Handcuffs—or you can also donate to one of the shelters or programs in the Indy area. Consider running a fundraiser or asking your friends and family to donate money, too, as a way to make even more of an impact.
You can also donate physical items, such as clothing, non-perishable food, toiletries, diapers, household goods, books, computers, cell phones, and more to shelters, who will distribute them among the people who need them most. Many shelters put a “wish list” on their websites to let you know which items they need the most at the moment. Similarly with monetary donations, consider running a fundraiser in your neighborhood or at your school or asking your friends and family to help donate items to the shelter—every item can make a big difference.
This Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, remember that real people suffer from hunger and homelessness—despite their circumstances, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, both when interacting with each other in person and when you talk about these issues with others.
Remember, too, that neither hunger nor homelessness are problems that can’t be solved. By educating yourself, taking the time to volunteer, or by donating money or physical items, you can help our country get one step closer to a life where no one has to go hungry or live without a roof over their heads.
For more resources on hunger and homelessness in America, check out these resources:
- Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
- National Coalition for the Homeless
- National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness
- National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Feeding America