A group of Abbotsford youth recently gave a helping hand to the feet of the Lower Mainland’s homeless population, handing out more than 150 pairs of shoes in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. To complete this project, the Abbotsford Smile Foundation partnered with the UBC Bhangra Club, with both of these groups being founded and led by students. Vessi provided the new shoes, with each pair handed out contributing to the company’s total goal of distributing $65,000 worth of shoes to Lower Mainland individuals in need. Abbotsford
Smile Foundation president Jason Kailey said that a new pair of shoes can make a significant impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness, and that the local charity was proud to be a part of this initiative. “The project was fully student-led, with volunteers coordinating logistics, transportation, and on-site distribution,” said Kailey. “The shoes were first organized on the UBC campus before being transported to the Downtown Eastside, where they were distributed directly to individuals in need.” View this post on Instagram This is
not the first time the Abbotsford Smile Foundation has supported the homeless population in the Downtown Eastside, with previous initiatives leading to more than 1,000 car packages being handed out in the neighbourhood. “Through these efforts, we continue to support individuals experiencing homelessness and those facing difficult circumstances, with a focus on making a direct and lasting impact,” said Kailey.
Abbotsford Smile Foundation, UBC Bhangra Club, Vessi, Downtown Eastside, homelessness, shoes, youth-led charity