Homeless, Low-Income Veterans Receive Free Suits At SF St. Anthony's Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— In honor of Veteran's Day Monday, St. Anthony's Foundation of San Francisco organized a free suit giveaway Friday for homeless and low-income veterans.
It was a store-like atmosphere Friday at the non-profit organization that provided personal shoppers and one-on-one assistance in helping those in need to find the right suit.
"I'm living on a very limited income and I'd like to volunteer and I'd like to get a part-time job and, you know, you got to look right," said veteran Lawrence Paul.
St. Anthony's Foundation Offers Free Suits To Homeless And Low-Income Veterans In SF
Over 20 percent of the people who eat at St. Anthony's are veterans, though veterans make up only three percent of the general population in San Francisco.
Veteran Rodney McClain is not alone in his struggles with addiction.
"My life is getting better though day by day. I'm also in the day treatment at Fort Miley," he said referring to the VA facility.
After the men got their suits, complete with any necessary tailoring, Chris Windel assisted with outreach.
"In San Francisco the veteran population is older, kind of like my generation; the Vietnam War-era veteran who may have a disconnect because they don't trust the VA or the government," Windel said.
Key donors for the suit giveaway included; Craig Newmark of Craigslist, Planet Sox, Jeremy's, Nordstrom's Rack, PG&E, and Men's Warehouse.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
