Find out how you can help the homeless

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Center for the Homeless helps around 200 homeless people every day – at $41 a person. The center says there are ways you can help, even if you don’t have any spare change.

"If I had a bunch of money, if I could share it, I would,” said Erich James.

But James, 28, doesn't have a bunch of money.

He just landed a maintenance job and his time on the street is a not-so distant memory.

"Chaos. You have to be around people you don't want to be around. You have to adapt to your surroundings. You have to be on your toes,” said James.

He says things are looking up thanks to the Center for the Homeless.

"When they make that very difficult decision to come into the Center for the Homeless, to walk through those doors, take a chance on humbling themselves and saying I need help-who are we to not give them that help?” said Lisa Knox of the Center for the Homeless.

But the help doesn't come for free.

Housing, food and positive programming for the more than 200 people currently at the center costs money.

"Roughly $41 per day, per individual here at the center,” said Knox.

Skip ten Starbuck’s lattes or four Chipotle burritos and you could be helping someone get back on their feet.

If you don’t have the money, you could donate your time – or foods or goods to the center to help.

"We always encourage people to donate directly to the agencies that provide the supportive services to help people get back on their feet,” said Knox.

The center houses more than 200 people a night.

If each person costs $41 a day, the center needs at least $8,000 a day to help those in need.

Click here for more information on the Center for the Homeless