With the holidays just around the corner, many people have giving on their minds. Some people call it the Christmas spirit. I always thought that spirit was brandy, because that's what my mum puts on Christmas pudding. While we zip up our down jackets, and sip at our Pumpkin Spice Lattes, some less fortunate than ourselves are without the warmth of a good jacket, or even a coffee.

When you're homeless, the holiday season is especially challenging due to cold temperatures and inclement weather. Even here in San Diego the temperature gets into the low 40's at night. According to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless for San Diego County 2015 WeALLCount censusresults, there are almost nine-thousand homeless individuals in San Diego County.

Of those nine-thousand, almost half are unsheltered due to a lack of space. If you're feeling the Christmas spirit—no, not brandy—then you're in luck! There are plenty of options to help the homeless population in San Diego through the holidays, and indeed, throughout the year.

I spoke with Sarah Damschen of Alpha Project, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless, and low-income population. Some services they provide include rental assistance, addiction recovery, homeless outreach, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing for families and seniors.

Alpha Project is accustomed to the inevitable spike in donations and financial contributions during the holiday season. However, the population they serve faces hardship year-round. During the rainy season, it is important to not only provide blankets, but waterproof tarpaulins. A blanket is no good to anybody wet and cold. During the spring and summer, sunscreen, hats, and water are vital to keeping us all healthy. These items can be donated directly, but monetary contributions also go toward these same supplies, filling gaps when stocks of certain items are low.

Alpha Project schedules groups to provide and serve meals at their permanent supportive housing complex, Alpha Square. “The people living at Alpha Square were some of the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals in San Diego,” said Damschen. If you want to volunteer, this is a great way to get involved and all it takes is a phone call.

Alpha Project provides “Move-In” kits to recently housed individuals. These kits are designated by room, and include basic amenities and equipment one would find in any given room of a home. For example, a bathroom Move-In kit would contain such items as a waste basket, toilet paper and cleaner, towel, tooth brush and paste, soap, shaving supplies etcetera. These kits can be put together relatively cheaply and donated to Alpha Project year-round. “This can be a rewarding way to give something meaningful to someone struggling through their transition from homelessness,” said Damschen.

Damschen's additional recommendations for ways in which people can contribute are to donate gently used clothing, new socks and underwear, and non perishable foods. When donating canned foods, Damschen recommends protein rich goods, such as tunafish, chili, and hearty soups as produce tends to be more affordable than these foods.

Eradication of homelessness may be a big ask, but reduction of the homeless population and resources for those suffering extreme financial hardship is the goal we can strive for right now.

If you would like to get in touch with Alpha Project, or have questions about how to get involved, call (619) 542-1877 and ask for Damschen. Or visit the Alpha Project Website.

Additional census information can be found at the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless website.