NIH Collects Shoes, Boots for Homeless

The NIH Veterans Recruitment and Retention Force (VRF) has joined its Department of Housing and Urban Development counterpart in “Walk in Their Footsteps,” a campaign to collect new boots and shoes for homeless veterans and their families. NIH will participate through Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.

In 2018, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has increased. On any given night more than 40,000 vets are homeless, staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs or living in places not meant for human habitation. Many are also in need of basic clothing items. A pair of new boots or sturdy work shoes can make a difference in getting to a medical appointment, an employment interview or employment training. New socks, gloves and scarfs are also welcome.

The campaign is in need of new boots and shoes for male and female veterans in the following sizes: women’s 8 to 9.5; men’s 9.5 to 15.5. (Please, no dress shoes.) Due to health considerations, only new items are being accepted. Cash donations are not accepted.

Collection bins are located in several NIH buildings. See a list of drop-off sites at http://employees.nih.gov/. For details, contact VRF member Jill Bartholomew, (240) 276-6635.