The Courier Journal has reported at length in recent days about a homeless camp in downtown Louisville being cleaned out, leaving its residents displaced.

Readers have asked how they can help people living on the streets in the city.

After talking with a number of organizations that serve the homeless, here are their recommendations.

Knocked down, cleaned out:Tent city vanishes as homeless search for new spot

Previously:Lockers available for Louisville's homeless ahead of camp clear out

What organizations are serving Louisville's street homeless?

In addition to bigger and better-known nonprofits, there are a number of small, grassroots organizations that provide meals, supplies and other support for people who are homeless in the Louisville area. They know the camps, their residents and their needs.

The groups are active on Facebook, where they frequently post updates about needs and involvement opportunities.

Some organizations to consider following on social media:

What donations do the street outreach groups need?

Different groups have different needs.

Some organizations, like Hip Hop Cares, will only accept donations of supplies, while others, like Jesus Cares at Exit 0, will accept monetary donations to cover overhead costs.

Many of the organizations have Amazon or Walmart wish lists set up where needed items can be ordered by donors and sent directly to the outreach group.

Those lists are posted to social media, as are other needs as they arise. Tents, blankets and sleeping bags are especially needed after camps are swept.

Information about hands-on volunteer opportunities, like meal preparation or supply drop-offs, are also posted on groups' respective social media pages. Groups serve on different days, so if one organization's schedule doesn't work, another's probably will.

Natalie Harris, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, also recommended making monetary donations to Wayside Christian Mission, the St. John Center for Homeless Men and UP for Women and Children, who also provide outreach and emergency shelter beds.

Harris noted these services are being paid for in part by city dollars that run out on June 30.

Can I just drop off supplies at homeless camps myself?

Outreach groups say this isn't the best way to help.

While the intentions are good, unused or unneeded items can lead to extra trash and debris at campsites. Volunteer groups who know the camps and their residents have a sense for what residents need and will get items distributed properly.

People looking to donate supplies they already have on hand should work with outreach groups to get items handed out.

More:Dirty and dangerous downtown homeless camp must go, city says. Will it fix anything?

Should I give a panhandler or homeless person money?

This is a personal decision, and can be divisive among people who work with the homeless.

Some advocates say people should have the choice to buy what they need for themselves, while others are concerned that cash donations might be spent on drugs or alcohol that further harm its recipient.

Harris said she typically does not give people cash unless she knows them personally, in order to "avoid hurting when I mean to help."

Paul Stensrud, director of outreach group Jesus Cares at Exit 0, said he encourages people to build goodie bags instead. He suggests things like fruit cups, a bottle of water and flavor packet and socks. Five-dollar gift cards for nearby restaurants allow a person to go inside for a while, use the restroom and choose their meal, he said.

"Put yourself in their shoes," Stensrud said.

What about providing housing?

For landlords and people with room to spare, there are ways to directly help house the homeless.

Harris said landlords can agree to work with homeless people seeking shelter and provide housing to people with Section 8 vouchers. Harris said to contact the coalition's Alayna Wolfe at awinburn@louhomeless.org. for more information.

Volunteers are also needed to host young people ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness in their homes or rental units as a part of a program through Home of the Innocents.

Stays in "Host Homes" can last for a few weeks or up to three months. Volunteers must be at least 25 years old, have a private space for the young adult to stay and be able to handle the financial costs associated with feeding and sheltering another person. An interview, background check, home visit and two-day training session are also required.

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Reach Tessa Duvall at tduvall@courier-journal.com and 502-582-4059. Twitter: @TessaDuvall. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/subscribe.