Coat and Shoe Drive to benefit Star of Hope Mission causes

The Association of Rice Alumni is partnering with the Community Involvement Center and Rice Student Volunteer Program to sponsor the annual Coat and Shoe Drive going on during Homecoming, Nov. 15-17.

The beneficiary of the drive will be the Star of Hope Mission, which has three centers in operation in the greater Houston area: the Women and Family Shelter, which serves as an emergency shelter and crisis center; the Transitional Living Shelter for Women; and the Men’s Development Center.

Robert Ina, one of the managers at the Men’s Development Center, said the center clothes about 400 men each day. The center also serves about 1,200 meals every day and provides shower facilities.

Last year’s Homecoming coat and shoe drive yielded donations from Rice that filled up a truck — a great contribution at a time of year when demand for both coats and shoes is increasing. Organizers of the drive hope to at least double that donation level this year with the expanded collection sites and increased involvement from the students, faculty and staff.

The mission is in need of athletic shoes of every kind and of more formal shoes to help with interview clothing needs.

All types of coats are welcome. Be sure that shoes are paired (laces tied together, in a closed bag, etc.) when they are dropped off. Bags to keep shoes paired and other instructions will be available at collection points.