Saint John’s Hospice Aims to Help Over 1,500 Neighbors Prepare for Winter at Fifth Annual “Boot Up Philly” Event
Saint John’s Hospice (SJH), a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, will host its fifth annual “Boot Up Philly” event on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Parking Lot. The event provides critically needed winter clothing, shoes, and services to community members experiencing homelessness and poverty.
“We are prepared to offer new boots, coats, underwear, food and other cold-weather items to more than 1,500 individuals and families who need them most,” said Barry Martin, Program Director at SJH. “We are also ready to connect attendees to providers in the community for services such as legal assistance and medical support. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community has to endure the hardships of winter alone.”
Last year, more than 5,000 people in Philadelphia experienced homelessness, according to the City of Philadelphia’s Point-in-Time Count. To respond to this need, SJH distributed thousands of cold weather items to more than 1,000 individuals impacted by homelessness and poverty at the 2024 iteration of the outdoor event. This year, SJH hopes to touch even more vulnerable neighbors in Philadelphia by providing cold-weather essentials with the help of funds and in-kind donations being provided by the community.
This year’s fundraising goal is $175,000. Donations are still being accepted to help serve as many individuals as possible. Those interested in supporting SJH’s Boot Up Philly event, as well as its year-round efforts to assist our neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty, can learn more here.
About Saint John’s Hospice
SJH was established in 1963 by Monsignor Anthony J. O’Neill, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Center City Philadelphia, and The Little Brothers of The Good Shepherd, as an outreach ministry to serve and assist those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. Today, SJH has residences that serve approximately 150 individuals transitioning from homelessness to independent living annually, meal services for more than 200 community members each day, mailroom services for more than 1,700 individuals, as well as case management and medical and behavioral healthcare services.
# # #
Editor’s Note: For more information on Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, please visit ccphila.org.
CCharitiesPhila
CCharitiesPhila
CCharitiesPhila
Contact:
Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia
215-587-3747 (office)