Many schools in Louisiana build model houses and place them in halls and cafeterias to collect specific items for homeless families. The next month they might focus on pennies or holiday gifts. Each house is opened at the end of the month and the collection is shared with homeless families. Collecting new and gently used toys to be given out to homeless children at Christmas. In Michigan , students and church youth groups work together to collect new backpacks, school supplies, new and used books, and new winter hats and gloves for donation to local shelters.
Some students collect money that is used to buy store gift certificates for clothing and shoes.
The money raised from the breakfast was then donated to a shelter. These gifts were presented to the shelter at a ceremony at the school. Families added to the occasion by donating several truckloads of furniture, toys, bicycles, etc. The Maryland Department of Education requires that all high school students complete 75 hours of service-learning before graduating. Two high school students from Massachusetts, Katie and Kara , believe that all children, including homeless children, should have access to books.