Department of Neighborhoods

News Release

Mark Cueva

Department of Neighborhoods
901 Bagby
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Cell: 832.729.3698

Release Date: 1/6/2012

City helps U.S. Customs & Border Protection donation find its way to Coalition for the Homeless

Coalition for the Homeless of Houston Receives Donated T-Shirts in Time for the Houston Homeless Count

Mayor Annise Parker and representatives from the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office today presented a donation of t-shirts from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Agency to the Coalition for the Homeless. The items gifted were imported to the United States and left unclaimed. The generous shipment consists of 21,456 men’s white, cotton t-shirts, ranging in size from medium to x-large.

“As a city we share an obligation to assist our homeless residents,” said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. “It is a challenge that we are committed to address and this is an excellent way to further our efforts.”

Across the nation, CPB has been given approval to donate items to those in need through local municipalities. CBP contacted the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office in hopes of coordinating the shipment of t-shirts to a local deserving non-profit agency.

“This was an opportunity for our agency to give back to the community and it exemplifies CBP’s efforts to not only protect our nation's borders but to be involved in the communities where we live and serve," said Houston Service Port Director Terry Estell. “We are delighted that many individuals will benefit from the donation.”

The CBP t-shirt donation will be stored at the warehouse of the Coalition’s collaborating partner, St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, for future distribution.

“We intend to make good use of this donation, and it arrives just in time for the Houston Homeless Count coming up on Jan 24^th and Jan 31^st,” said the Coalition’s Gary Grier. “The Coalition is seeking volunteers to help conduct the Count and the community can sign up online at www.houstonhomelesscount.org.”

The Coalition for the Homeless was established in 1982 and by 1988 had incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) agency. Their mission is to lead in the development and implementation of community strategies to prevent and end homelessness.

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