A group of atheists have banded together in South Carolina to help the homeless, claiming they did not need religion to "give back" to their community.

The Atheist Alliance in Spartanburg collects items for the homeless throughout the month.

They meet on the third Saturday of every month and donate what they have collected to about 100 homeless people.

“It’s just our way of trying to give back as well,” director Shane Hammac told the Spartanburg Herald Journal at the fourth giveaway. “And not necessarily doing it under a religious title.”

The alliance created an Amazon wish list, allowing potential donors to buy required items.

Items include hand warmers for winter, sachets of soap, plastic rain ponchos, tents and underwear.

The causes of homelessness Show all 7 1 /7 The causes of homelessness The causes of homelessness Family Breakdown Relationship breakdown, usually between young people and their parents or step-parents, is a major cause of youth homelessness. Around six in ten young people who come to Centrepoint say they had to leave home because of arguments, relationship breakdown or being told to leave. Many have experienced long-term problems at home, often involving violence, leaving them without the family support networks that most of us take for granted The causes of homelessness Complex needs Young people who come to Centrepoint face a range of different and complex problems. More than a third have a mental health issue, such as depression and anxiety, another third need to tackle issues with substance misuse. A similar proportion also need to improve their physical health. These problems often overlap, making it more difficult for young people to access help and increasing the chances of them becoming homeless Getty/iStock The causes of homelessness Deprivation Young people's chances of having to leave home are higher in areas of high deprivation and poor prospects for employment and education. Many of those who experience long spells of poverty can get into problem debt, which makes it harder for them to access housing Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Gang Crime Homeless young people are often affected by gang-related problems. In some cases, it becomes too dangerous to stay in their local area meaning they can end up homeless. One in six young people at Centrepoint have been involved in or affected by gang crime Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Exclusion From School Not being in education can make it much more difficult for young people to access help with problems at home or health problems. Missing out on formal education can also make it more difficult for them to move into work Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Leaving Care Almost a quarter of young people at Centrepoint have been in care. They often have little choice but to deal with the challenges and responsibilities of living independently at a young age. Traumas faced in their early lives make care leavers some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities, with higher chances of poor outcomes in education, employment and housing. Their additional needs mean they require a higher level of support to maintain their accommodation Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Refugees Around 13 per cent of young people at Centrepoint are refugees or have leave to remain, meaning it isn't safe to return home. This includes young people who come to the UK as unaccompanied minors, fleeing violence or persecution in their own country. After being granted asylum, young people sometimes find themselves with nowhere to go and can end up homeless Getty Images/iStockphoto

The group has written how urgently they need each item on the list, and how many they require.

One man who has benefited from the group is 41-year-old Randy Turner, who has been homeless along with his wife since January.

“It’s really hard to get the stuff you need all the time, like soap and clothes,” he told the local paper.

He added: “This is extremely important because it helps me get and keep employment, and I need to work to get out of this situation.”

Volunteers reportedly include religious people, including Christians, who told the newspaper they just “want to help”.

