Homelessness in San Francisco is a humanitarian crisis in our own (rich) backyard. Even the UN has labeled our city’s dystopian housing situation a violation of human rights. No one is going to end the situation in SF overnight; it’s too complex and too layered of an issue to solve in one fell swoop. But together we can help push the needle in the right direction.

The reality is that, even though most of us are highly disturbed and saddened by the crisis and want to help, most of us don’t. And that’s not because we don’t care, but because the crisis often feels too big—too overwhelming—to know how one single person can make a difference.

But there are dozens and dozens of ways you, a single person, can contribute. And all of us finding some way to do each of our parts may be the only real way to make progress. So, in 2019, let’s all find some way to help — and to help start you off, we did some of the initial work by calling around local organizations to discover their needs now.

Volunteer at a Local Food Bank

Food disparity is a pressing issue, no matter which side of the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge you find yourself on. It’s estimated that some 20 percent of Bay Area locals struggle with hunger on either a daily or weekly basis. Volunteering or donating to a local food bank is one way to push that number down.

Here’s how (and where) you can feed those who live meal to meal.

CalFresh

The Golden State’s most prolific food-stamp service, CalFresh, is a nutrition assistance program that helps families and individuals purchase food. A representative told us they are currently in need of outreach volunteers.

This role, which only requires a few hours a month, involves explaining the program to prospective users, discusses eligibility requirements, and assists in signing them up at various outreach sites. Some travel might be needed.

To peruse current volunteer opportunities, as well as see how to sign-up and fill out the needed paperwork, visit volunteer.foodbankccs.org

San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

The SF-Marin Food Bank has been serving the Bay Area for well over three decades, and it’s a giant operation: a grocery-delivery and full-pantry service that provides food for the elderly, the homeless or anyone who needs a helping hand. While they’re always looking for food donations and individuals to host food drives, right now, they tell us that they specifically need volunteers to help with manning their two warehouses.

Volunteer shifts at the organization's two warehouses typically involve organizing fresh produce, packaging bulk foods, assembling grocery boxes for seniors and sorting donations from food drives. Shifts are typically between two and four hours long, and children over the age of 11 are welcome to help.

To see specific shift times, visit their Marin and San Francisco schedules here and here, respectively. For further info, email volunteer@sfmfoodbank.org.

Help People Get Back on Their Feet

People very, very rarely choose to be homeless. The vast majority find themselves in that situation because of a crisis — financial, personal, health, or otherwise. When you become acutely aware of the sobering fact that most Americans have less than $400 to their name, it’s easier to see how a moderate car repair or sudden medical expense can catapult someone into financial fragility.

Here’s how you can help those who’ve fallen down get back up:

Cityteam

Cityteam is one of the Bay Area’s most prolific all-around assistance program that does everything from spiritual guidance to sustenance procurement. Filling out online volunteer registration forms for the city in which you intend to volunteer is the best way to get the ball rolling. Once complete, your registration is good for a litany of opportunities, including organizing donated goods, preparing and serving hot food, assisting with outreach events, and delivering foods to individuals and distribution sites.

Also, per their San Jose headquarters, Cityteam is always “more than happy” to host group volunteering opportunities. (All of those abovementioned volunteer opportunities can be done in groups, to boot.) So instead of spending Saturday afternoon brunching and getting overserved at whatever mimosa hub you find fit, gather a group of friends for some midday philanthropy.

For more info on current group volunteer needs, contact Erin Campos at campos@cityteam.org, and be sure to mention your city so you can get matched.

Raphael House of San Francisco

The Raphael House of San Francisco has long been lauded for its commitment to assisting those who are down on their luck. They offer a full-service shelter and long-term assistance programs for homeless and low-income families who need a place of respite.

Recently, we spoke with Kellen Sarver, its volunteer program manager, who said the organization has both group and individual volunteer opportunities. Groups can participate in family-friendly community events throughout the year, like their Corporate and Community Chefs Nights, which are open to groups of up to six volunteers and usually run from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. These volunteer groups help the chefs in our kitchen prepare meals for the families who live at Raphael House, clean and set tables in the dining room and serve the meals family-style once dinner begins.

They also have long-term and short-term volunteer opportunities for individuals, including helping with shelter upkeep and other activities.

For more information, feel free to reach out to Sarver herself at ksarver@raphaelhouse.org. Also, to save you some digging around Google, their group and individual JotForms can be filled out here and here, respectively, so you can get a head start on the process.

Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco

This full-service shelter and navigation center offers housing, job training, adult education, senior services and more to in-need individuals. Like the other organizations on this list, donations are fantastic, but volunteers are often needed.

Specifically, they’re in need of help with morning, lunch and dinner services, which don’t require filling out any volunteer forums. These shifts, too, are usually no more than two hours long, and they can be reserved online on their master calendar once you’ve successfully set up an account.

A current list of always-rotating opportunities can be found here, so peruse it regularly. Depending on the type of volunteer track, which includes such trajectories as becoming a Shelter Librarian or Adult Education Mentor, available positions might be ready to fill now.

Get Politically Engaged

At its core, homelessness is a byproduct of our failing sociopolitical infrastructure. So in order to rebuild and restructure what needs fixing, you, ballot-savvy San Franciscan, need to make your voice heard. Attend town halls, and stay up to date on current policies. As my higher power says (read: Oprah Winfrey), “Vote, vote, vote.”

Here’s how you can stay in tune with the political zeitgeist around the Bay Area’s homelessness epidemic:

• Stay current on the actions and campaigns of SF’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing
• Follow the SF mayor’s ongoing homelessness initiatives, and see how you can help (and vote) them into existence

Above All Else, Be a Decent Human Being

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen a passerby scoff — or, worse, actively shame — a man or woman left to fend for themselves along our city sidewalks. It’s a type of maliciousness that has no rhyme or reason, regardless of the situation.

At the end of the day, we’re all in this enraging, enigmatic, enchanting circle of life together. So go forth in 2019 and help thy neighbor.