I was impressed by the concern the John Lennon Society showed in response to possible prejudice towards homeless people in DeKalb’s loitering law. In the past year public awareness of the homeless has increased. However, while most people are sympathetic about this problem, far fewer know how to help alleviate it.

The PADS program in DeKalb is still in need of people to provide food and/or supervision at its evening shelter this winter. Why not volunteer a few hours of your time?

In the state of Illinois there are many, many organizations whose primary purpose is to aid the homeless. How about making a donation to, or having a fund raiser for, one of them?

President Reagan recently vetoed a bill that would include questions about plumbing and heating on the 1990 census. Advocates of homeless and low-income individuals say this information is needed to assess substandard housing and future needs. Why not write your senator or representative asking that he or she vote to override the veto?

It is important for people to keep the problem of homelessness in the news, and therefore in the publics conscience. I feel it is even more important, though, that we act in response to our conscience.

Eileen McKeough