Winter can be especially tough for people without warm homes, food or support. Here are practical ways you can help someone get through the cold.
South Africa (12 August 2026) – Winter has arrived with another cold spell, and while many of us can reach for a warmer jacket, switch on a heater or climb back into bed, not everyone has that luxury.
For people living on the streets, families struggling to afford basic necessities and elderly people living alone, a drop in temperature can make an already difficult winter even harder.
The good news is that there are plenty of simple ways to help.
Donate warm clothing
Go through your cupboards and pull out the winter clothes you no longer wear. Coats, jerseys, scarves, beanies, gloves, socks and blankets can all make a meaningful difference.
Rather than leaving them in a cupboard until next winter, wash them, fold them and donate them to a local shelter, charity, community organisation or winter collection drive.
Put together a winter care package
A small bag of practical essentials can go a long way. Consider including warm socks, a beanie, gloves, toiletries, non-perishable food, a blanket or something as simple as a packet of soup and a cup of coffee.
You can make one yourself or find an organisation in your community that is already putting care packages together.
Buy an extra meal
If you are stopping for lunch, getting takeaway or doing your grocery shopping, consider buying something extra for someone who may not have eaten that day.
A hot meal is especially valuable during a cold snap, and you do not need to make a grand gesture to make someone’s day better.
Support a soup kitchen
Soup kitchens and community feeding schemes often face increased demand during winter. You can donate food, money, your time or even help with packing and distributing meals.
Related Stories
Goodbye Uncle Sidney: South Africa Mourns a Man We All Came to Love
South Africa, We Have SO Much Good News to Share With You!If you know of a local organisation doing this work, ask what they need most before donating. Sometimes the most helpful contribution is not what you expect.
Check on an elderly neighbour
A quick phone call or knock on the door can make a big difference, particularly for older people living alone.
Ask whether they have enough food, whether they are warm enough and whether they need anything from the shops. If they use a heater or other heating device, you can also check that it is being used safely.
Sometimes helping someone through winter simply means making sure they know they are not facing it alone.
Help someone who is sleeping rough
If you regularly pass someone living on the street, consider offering a warm meal, a hot drink, clean socks or a blanket.
You can also support an organisation that works directly with people experiencing homelessness. This can be a safer and more sustainable way to make sure people receive food, shelter and other essential support.
Donate what you can
If you cannot donate items or volunteer your time, even a small financial contribution can help organisations purchase exactly what they need.
R20, R50 or R100 might not feel like much on its own, but pooled together, small donations can provide meals, blankets, warm clothing and other essentials for people who need them.
And don’t forget about the animals
Cold weather is tough on pets and animals too. If you know someone struggling to care for their animals during winter, consider donating pet food, blankets or other essentials.
Animal shelters and rescue organisations also often need extra blankets, food and financial support during the colder months.
The important thing is to start where you are.
Look around your home. Look around your neighbourhood. Ask a local charity what it needs. Give what you can, whether that is a blanket, a meal, an hour of your time or a small donation.
You may be feeling the cold, but you can help make winter a little warmer for someone else.
Looking for a charity to support?
If you want to turn your kindness into action but are not sure where to start, take a look at The Helpers. You can find organisations doing meaningful work in communities across South Africa and choose a cause that matters to you.
Whether you can donate, volunteer, give supplies or simply help spread the word, there is always a way to get involved.
by 
