St. Anthony's Honors Homeless and Low-income Veterans With New Shoes and Socks

Local apparel outfitter, Chrome, teams up with Planet Sox, Craig Newmark, and the VA to invite veterans to "walk a mile in their shoes and socks"

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., veterans who eat at St. Anthony's Dining Room will receive a gift bag complete with shoes, socks, t-shirts, and toiletries.  Chrome, Planet Sox, and Craig Newmark from Craigslist Foundation have teamed up with St. Anthony's and the Veterans Administration to honor the service of veterans dating as far back as World War II and highlight the need for continued support.

"Veterans Day is every day at St. Anthony's," noted St. Anthony's Executive Director Shari Roeseler. "The heartbreaking reality is that almost 25% of the 3,000 meals we serve in the St. Anthony Dining Room are served to veterans."  St. Anthony's serves as a key link between veterans who face extreme isolation and critical services to help them rebuild their lives.

Given the economic downturn, the need for continued veterans' services is as strong as ever.  One of every three homeless men in America has served in the armed forces and every night an estimated 107,000 veterans sleep on the streets, according to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans.

Comfortable footwear meets a crucial need for homeless and low-income veterans.  This year, veterans will have the opportunity to wear new Chrome shoes along with socks from Planet Sox.  Members of the Veterans Administration will be on site to help direct veterans to additional services.

"When we heard about all the veterans that are coming to St. Anthony's Dining Room, we thought about how important it must be to have good street wear when you are one the street. So we decided to do something about it," noted Matt Sharkey Director of Marketing for Chrome.

Elie Levy, CEO & President of Planet Sox, felt compelled to be a part of our giveaway after hearing about St. Anthony's through Craig Newmark.  "I feel that as an American who enjoys the freedom that our Vets fight for and as a businessman, I have an obligation to give back."

About St. Anthony's:  Since 1950 St. Anthony's programs have offered gateways out of poverty by addressing immediate and long term needs.  St. Anthony's does not seek federal, state, or local government grants, and is supported funded by private donations. www.stanthonysf.org

SOURCE St. Anthony Foundation