Okay, come Thursday thousands, if not millions of people will get up and head down to their local homeless shelter to help “feed the homeless.” There will be more volunteers and people wanting to help than there are homeless people on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s suddenly very hip and cool to care for the less fortunate on the holidays.

But while the 20% of the homeless and those who are down on their luck may crowd the shelters this year, there are millions of homeless and impoverished people who won’t, or can’t. They are the working homeless - the ones who are impoverished, or working part to full-time, have families and won’t go to a shelter. They won’t go out of shame, or fear, or because they don’t want to risk running into a co-worker who is volunteering for the holiday. They’d rather settle for McDonald’s, fast food or nothing at all, and dream of better times rather than risk anyone learning they’re homeless or too poor to afford a holiday meal.

I know this to be true because I was one of those folks.

That’s why I’m asking businesses and those of you who have a say in pot-lucks at work to urge your company to host an at-work Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner for your employees.

Why? Because many working homeless would welcome the chance to go somewhere they know people and eat with co-workers rather than show up at a shelter and shovel in the food or grab a Styrofoam box and go back to their car to eat Thanksgiving. It gives them a chance to bring their spouse and children to a place they know and feel safe. Most of all, they don’t have to explain their poverty or their situation.

Tips:
Pass around a pot-luck list, but don’t force people to bring something. They may not be able to afford it. If the list comes back and people haven’t signed it - don’t pressure them.

If you don’t have the facilities to host a dinner, invite employees and their families to a local buffet - like Golden Corral or similar all you can eat place. At $10 to $15 a head you can spread a lot of goodwill.

If you know for sure that an employee is homeless, consider inviting them to your own home, or church or out for dinner. Sometimes just inviting a team at work, or a small group that includes certain employees is a way to include those who would appreciate not being singled out.

Gifts of food (such as certificates to local grocery stores) are welcomed by all and solve the problem of what to give people.

During the holidays, if you can afford to do so, bring food to work. When I was living in the van sometimes the only food I had for days at a time was the birthday cake, snacks and popcorn or sandwiches people brought in during birthdays and other celebrations. Encourage having snacks around for all during the holidays - including cold cuts, soup and nutrition bars.

One of the other much appreciated gifts from co-workers are veggies from their garden. Fresh fruit and veggies are healthy, but expensive. If you have extra - share.

If you’re a small business owner, splurge for pizza, subs or cookie parties throughout the holidays. Homeless or impoverished parents are often trying to give their kids some kind of Christmas and may forgo eating entirely (yes, even giving up peanut butter) so they can afford more for their kid’s Christmas. It can be depressing as hell to see people around you celebrating and eating and not be able to afford to go out, to participate or to enjoy the festivities.

Have your parties during the work day. Many homeless people take public transportation or don’t have transportation or child care to return to work or another location in the evening. They may head home to their vehicle, tent or shelter and not come back after work - too challenging. So host parties near the end of the work day or ask if people need rides - or better yet - rent a bus or van to transport everyone, or ask for carpool volunteers and make sure everyone has a ride.

Wondering what gifts to give? Walmart gift cards, or $25 prepaid gift cards lets people buy what they need and are easy to carry and store if someone is living in a car, tent or van.

I hope that helps. The holidays are difficult for many, but for the working homeless who feel like they’re doing all they can and still aren’t making it? Hope is the best gift of all.