Fourth Annual Sock Drive

Federal Executive Council of Central Iowa (FEC) and HUD Participate.

The Federal Executive Council of Central Iowa (FEC) sponsored the fourth Annual Sock Drive in the Neal Smith Federal Building during November 2016. This effort sponsored by the FEC is just one of several which serves the members of the Council as well as serving causes in the community.

Steve Eggleston and Melissa O'Neil show donations

Des Moines Field Office Field Policy and Management (FPM) Staff spearheaded the Sock Drive effort by organizing the collection boxes, sending reminders to all federal employees and counting the socks. The sock drive is a continuation of an initiative to assist with homeless outreach and in the spirit of giving throughout the year. All socks collected were donated to Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS).

The total number of socks donated this year was 1,026 pairs. The socks were presented to Melissa O'Neil, Chief Executive Officer of CISS. Melissa thanked everyone for their efforts and stated that the shelter disseminates approximately 400 pairs of socks a week to persons in need.

HUD Des Moines Field Office Director presents certificate to Chief Executive Officer CISS

In addition to the sock donation, Steve Eggleston, Des Moines Field Office Director, presented Ms. O'Neil with a certificate of appreciation for CISS's "ongoing work and dedication to serving the homeless population in Polk County, Iowa". CISS is Iowa's largest homeless shelter with 150 emergency beds, 19 rooms of transitional housing for Veterans and 38 Project Based Section 8 Voucher efficiency apartments. During 2016, CISS has provided beds to 30,113 people or 2,500 people a month.

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