Through my work with human services providers across Arizona, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how coordinated outreach, shelter programs, and long-term support services transform lives. At Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs, our team regularly partners with organizations that work tirelessly to meet the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. These experiences shape how I think about community compassion, especially during the holiday season, and why conscious giving is so vital.
As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel an increased desire to help those in need. It’s a time of reflection, generosity, and shared community spirit. Naturally, when we encounter individuals asking for help on busy corners or outside shopping areas, the impulse to give cash on the spot can be strong. While that instinct comes from a place of compassion, there are more impactful ways to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness, hunger, or crisis.
This month on December 21, communities across the country will recognize National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day. Observed on the winter solstice and longest night of the year, it is a somber reminder of the lives lost on our streets each year and a call for all of us to reaffirm our collective commitment to dignity, stability, and long-term solutions. The day underscores why immediate acts of compassion, while heartfelt, are not enough on their own.
Direct cash giving to panhandlers often provides short-term relief but rarely addresses the underlying challenges such as access to safe housing, mental health services, addiction treatment, food security, or pathways to long-term stability. Local service providers are equipped to offer these supports in a coordinated and sustainable way, ensuring that assistance goes beyond the moment and truly promotes safety and wellbeing.
This season, we encourage a practice known as conscious giving – channeling your generosity toward organizations that provide comprehensive resources to those most in need. By supporting shelters, outreach teams, food banks, job-readiness programs, domestic violence services, and mental health providers, your contribution can help someone access not just a meal, but a path forward.
Conscious giving creates a multiplier effect:
- It ensures funds are used effectively and transparently.
- It connects individuals to long-term solutions instead of temporary fixes.
- It supports trained professionals who can help people navigate complex systems.
If you feel moved to help someone you encounter personally, consider offering alternatives such as resource cards, bottled water, handwarmers, or information on local services – items that offer immediate comfort while guiding individuals toward the support networks best equipped to help.
As we pause to honor National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day and the nearly 800 homeless individuals who have passed away in Phoenix in 2025, we are reminded that our compassion is strongest when paired with intention. This holiday season, we invite you to join us in practicing conscious giving that truly honors the dignity of every neighbor and helps build a path to lasting change.