The homeless in Anoka County need more than a roof over their heads. Many need shoes.
As part of November's Homelessness Awareness Month, the county is collecting new and "gently used" shoes and winter boots to be distributed to homeless persons.
"Oftentimes, when people are donating clothing and other items, shoes and winter boots are overlooked," said Kristina Hayes, the county's program director for community development.
"These items are often in very short supply at housing shelters and social service agencies, and many times the item that those in crisis find themselves in need of. Therefore, Heading Home Anoka is sponsoring a shoe and winter boot collection to help meet this need in our community, and raise awareness."
In January, a one-day count of people at shelters and elsewhere found 1,463 homeless persons in Anoka County. Of those, 501 were children and 689 were single adults.
