The holidays can be a magical season full of joy, laughter, and gift-giving. Whether you are traveling or staying home to catch-up on your favorite binge-worthy shows, winter is typically the time of the year where people enjoy being indoors, cozied-up next to a nice fire.

But for some people, the holidays mean survival, shelter, and supplies. As temperatures begin to drop, people in the homeless community will have to either find an open shelter that has enough space for them or endure the winter's wrath. Shelters tend to get full during this season and a lot of people simply have nowhere else to go. Being alone and lacking adequate supplies to protect one's self from the cold weather could be deadly for many.

If you know that you are privileged enough to have somewhere warm to watch Netflix and chill, then find the time to head over to your local dollar store and pick up some supplies to hand out. Or, better yet, go deep-diving in your closet for those old blankets and sweaters that you abandoned long ago, and donate them to someone in need! I guarantee you that they will welcome your gift with an open heart if you approach them with kindness and humanity.

This season should be so much more than secret Santa, ugly sweaters, and Christmas movies. It should be about coming together (family or not) and reminding each other that we are not alone. If you are privileged enough to be reading this, you have the power to make a difference by making someone's winter a little less cold and a little less alone.

Find some time this holiday season to bring awareness to the homeless epidemic through a small act of kindness or by initiating a conversation about it with your family and friends.