As the country commemorates National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, there is a renewed call to fight poverty. It’s appropriate that this observation occurs each year just before Thanksgiving, a time when people think about what they are thankful for and a time when more people reach out to the disadvantaged to provide them with help and hope.

The annual observance is co-sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. More than 500 schools, communities and cities participate by bringing greater awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness through various events and activities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates there are approximately 664,414 people in this country who are homeless each night. This week marks a time for the nation to work together in an effort to end hunger and homelessness. There is strength in numbers. Organizers want participants to hold events such as sleep outs on college campuses, educational forums on hunger and homelessness, fasts, community service days, and fundraising drives. There’s a lot that you can do to bring these issues to the forefront of people’s minds.

So what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? A steady job? Good health? Family and friends? Whatever it may be, in the spirit of the holiday, reach out and help those less fortunate this holiday season and let others know that we are all responsible for making this a better world for everyone. And remember the three A’s: Awareness, Advocacy and Action!