Homelessness and poverty are a huge problem around the world; but not so large that a difference cannot be made. Many organizations are working to address this problem around the world. The key factor is to fight to change the system and work side by side with people to get out of poverty. Joining or collaborating with organizations is a start to preventing the cause of homelessness around the world. There are many organizations and institutions, both for-profit and nonprofit, that address homelessness in America on a local, national, and global level, such as The Union Mission Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and The Foodbank. In Norfolk, Virginia, there is a shelter that physically, emotionally and spiritually responds to the needs of the poor and homeless every day. They began in 1892, when a businessman from the Cumberland Street United Methodist Church had a vision to provide for the needs of the poor and homeless. From that vision, he pioneered The Union Mission Ministries. In 1956, Rev. Theodore A. Bashford became the director of The Union Mission. He found a shelter that was worn out and had lost sight of its original purpose. Under his counsel, debts were paid, the shelter was restored, and the ministry of helping the needy began. Rev. Theodore A. Bashford wanted to create the shelter with a Christian environment. With this, the ministry has grown to include ten individual ministries in the Hampton Roads, Virginia community and one ministry in Romania: The Union Mission Men's Shelter, The Women and Family Shelter, The Industrial Program and Retail Training Center, Community Assistance, Hope Haven Children's Home, Hope Haven Adult Home, Camp Hope Haven, The New Life Center, Good News Channel 5 and Project Romani...... middle of paper......or efficiently deliver nutritious canned foods , canned, fresh, frozen, and prepared food for over hundreds of thousands of people each year (“Food Bank Basics”). Works Cited “Food Bank Basics.” Food Bank Basics - Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the East Coast. Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the East Coast. Network. March 30, 2014. “Habitat for Humanity International: World Leaders Build.” Habitat for Humanity International – They build world leaders. Network. 30 March 2014. "The history of Habitat". Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for humanity. Network. March 30, 2014."History." Norfolk Union Mission Ministries. Union Mission Ministries. Network. March 30, 2014. "Mission Statement." Norfolk Union Mission Ministries. Union Mission Ministries. Network. March 30, 2014."Why Habitat for Humanity is necessary." Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat for humanity. Network. February 25. 2014.