Bombas, Veterans United increase number of socks donated to homeless Veterans

Veterans know the importance of warm, dry feet. Socks are the most consistently requested item at homeless shelters.

Last year, VA joined forces with Bombas and Veterans United Home Loans to donate 50,000 pairs of socks to Veterans experiencing homelessness across the country. This year, the collaboration was even more successful, distributing nearly 146,000 pairs of socks to those who need them most.

“Just because we take off the uniform doesn’t mean we stop looking out for our brothers and sisters,” said Daniel A. Dailey, former Sergeant Major of the Army and current Veterans United employee. “VA does outstanding work to help Veterans who are struggling. By joining forces with Bombas, Veterans United is proud to support the efforts to help Veterans who find themselves in tough circumstances.”

A season of giving

What is now an annual tradition started in 2016 when VA and Bombas partnered to provide homeless Veterans nationwide with socks. The partnership made sense because homeless Veterans tend to move around a lot, often on foot and sometimes in the bitter cold.

During the first year of the partnership, Bombas delivered more than 700 pairs of socks to the New York Harbor VA. The donations were then distributed to homeless Veterans throughout New York City through homeless shelters, VA community-based outpatient clinics and VA medical centers.

On Veterans Day that same year, VA senior staff and Bombas employees gave out socks to 225 Veterans at the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence in Long Island City, New York.

The partnership has grown in scope and membership over the years. In 2021, Veterans United joined the team to help donate even more socks to Veterans experiencing homelessness.

A pair for every homeless Veteran across the country

By growing the list of donation locations that cater specifically to Veterans, VA is one step closer to reaching its goal of donating socks to every homeless Veteran in the United States.

“It feels good to hand someone a clean pair of unopened socks,” said Melissa Bourcier, supervisor of Outreach at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition in Tallahassee, Fla. “It makes them feel good. I give the socks to unsheltered Veterans to stay warm and build rapport with them so that, when they are ready for housing, they will come to me because of that rapport. Sometimes, when a Veteran gets housed, they only have a small amount of clothing. These donated socks, along with some other donations, help give the Veteran a fresh start and push them to be self-sustaining in their new housing.”

VA is proud to partner with Bombas and Veterans United for the fourth consecutive year, allowing organizations nationwide to provide socks for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

We are extremely grateful to all the organizations involved that ensure these products reach those who need them most,” said Kelly Cobb, vice president of giving at Bombas. “We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership in the coming years and finding new ways to support those who have dedicated their lives to serving us.”

Learn about VA programs

• If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
• Visit the Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
• Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
• For more stories like these, subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.