Catholic Charities of Philadelphia‘s St. John’s Hospice hosted a giveaway event Oct. 25 to mark the successful completion of its fifth annual “Boot Up Philly” initiative. The community event benefits Philadelphians experiencing homelessness and impacted by poverty. Cold weather essentials such as coats, footwear, socks, and undergarments were distributed to over 1,900 individuals in only one hour, marking almost a 100% increase from 2024. Attendees were also connected to various services such as legal assistance and medical support and provided meals including hoagies, hot dogs, and pretzels. (Photos: St. John’s Hospice/Brianna Spause)