New warm socks for cold feet! One of our volunteers was headed to Alaska and heard about an event at the Downtown Soup Kitchen in Alaska.
They were having a Salmon event and also requesting donations of new clothes … and socks in particular.
So Gene brought a suitcase full of new socks to the event. (Thanks so much Gene!!!). People were thrilled primarily because people rarely donate their old socks. Old socks are smelly and are probably threadbare so they get trashed. Homeless get donations of sweaters, coats, etc, but hardly ever socks.
They were very appreciative. And we are very happy to help.
FYI – here is some info from Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) “2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress” released in July 2009 (although a few years old it does open ones eyes) .
Who are the homeless in Alaska?
Based on the January 2009 single-night count, Alaska’s homeless number 4,583 persons. (The total state population in July 2008 was estimated at 679,200.) This figure includes individuals who meet HUD’s definition of homeless, as well persons temporarily housed in a motel or with family/friends:
- 93% (4,256 persons) were “sheltered,” which includes living in emergency shelters, transitional shelters, with extended family and/or friends, or temporarily in motels.
- 7% (327 persons) were “unsheltered,” which includes living in a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the street.
- Among the sheltered, 57.5% were households with children.
- Among the unsheltered, 23.5% were households with children.
This 2009 count (including sheltered and unsheltered persons) showed the following figures for homeless subpopulations:
- Almost 9% are chronically homeless.
- Nearly 14% have chronic substance abuse issues.
- Over 7% are victims of domestic violence.
- About 6% are veterans.
- Approximately 11% are severely mentally ill.
- Nearly 3% are unaccompanied youth under the age of 18.
- Less than 1% have HIV/AIDS.
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