Socks & Sandwiches is being held to help alleviate the issues facing the homeless, many of whom have severe problems with their feet and need socks for better mobility and to minimize the risk of cellulitis, impetigo, fungal infection, trench foot and skin breakdown.
In observation of World Homeless Day on Oct 10, Holliday’s Helping Hands (HHH), a nonprofit organization formed to help stamp out homelessness in Los Angeles County, is organizing Socks & Sandwiches, a giveaway benefiting 500 of LA's unsheltered population. A team of HHH leadership and employees will visit numerous homeless encampments throughout Oct.10 starting at 10:30 am with the highly populated site at 9510 S Vermont Los Angeles where scores of unhoused recipients will be gathered to receive the donations.
Socks & Sandwiches is being held to help alleviate the issues facing the homeless, many of whom have severe problems with their feet and need socks for better mobility and to minimize the risk of cellulitis, impetigo, fungal infection, trench foot and skin breakdown.
“Those living on the streets rarely take their shoes off,” says Miss Katina Holliday, founder of her eponymous nonprofit. “They are on their feet most of the day and don’t have access to laundry facilities, which is why clean socks are one of the most requested donation items at homeless shelters.”
LA’s homeless crisis has surged in the past few years. The latest figures for 2023 show a 9% rise in homelessness over last year with an estimated 75,518 people living on the streets, of whom 6,200 are under age 18. The largest concentrations are in the Metro (Central) Los Angeles region (26%), South Los Angeles region (19%) and San Fernando Valley region (15%).
Latest stats pertaining to LA’s homeless crisis:
8% are under age 18.
30% are female.
2% are transgender.
5% are transition-age youth (age 18-24).
42% are chronically homeless.
30% have substance abuse disorders.
25% suffer from serious mental illness.
Holliday’s Helping Hands has been recognized for its award-winning approach to serving homeless and other disenfranchised segments of society find a new path in life. Part of HHH strategy is helping clients develop “roadmaps” for their futures — detailed, comprehensive plans that help them hone their lifestyle skills, plan monthly budgets, job train, prepare for job interviews and become good neighbors and citizens. For more information about Holliday’s Helping Hands, visit www.hollidayshh.org.
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