VA, Bombas, Veterans United provide 50,000 pairs of socks to homeless Veterans

Homeless Veterans tend to move around a lot, often on foot, and at times in the bitter cold. These circumstances make socks one of the most requested items at homeless shelters. On Veterans Day 2021, VA joined Bombas and Veterans United Home Loans to donate 50,000 pairs of socks, directly benefiting homeless Veterans nationwide.

“One of our core values at Veterans United is to enhance the lives of our Veterans and the communities we serve,” said Brian Butcher, director of Enterprise Marketing for Veterans United Home Loans. “We are excited to continue combining forces with VA and Bombas to ensure that Veterans experiencing homelessness are able to be more comfortable in their transition.”

Since launching the partnership in 2016, Bombas and VA have been able to expand their donation to 50,000 socks with support from Veterans United Home Loans. In 2021, socks were provided to 53 VA Medical Centers and 50 community partner sites across the country.

Goal of socks to every homeless Veteran

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

“During one outreach event, one homeless Veteran didn’t have any socks on and was so happy to receive the socks,” said Jennifer Castellanos-Graham, director of Development and Community Engagement at Project PLASE, a Veteran services provider in Baltimore, Maryland. “He asked if it was okay if we stop the screening process to put on the socks. After he put on the socks, he smiled and said, ‘Thank you so much. These have got to be the warmest and most comfortable socks I have ever worn.’”

Kelly Cobb, vice president of Giving at Bombas, is proud of the partnership that allows them to provide homeless Veterans nationwide with socks. “We’re so grateful to be able to provide new, comfy socks to Veterans experiencing homelessness through our ongoing partnership with VA,” she said. “In the coming year, we’re looking forward to expanding our reach to support more VA-led organizations and the Veterans they serve.”

Learn About VA Programs

• Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness should contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
• Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
• For more stories like these, visit the HPO website and subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.