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Metro General tells committee it needs shoes, clothing and basic supplies for unhoused patients
Summary
Metro General Hospital representatives told the Public Health & Safety Committee that hospital-run supply closets and a foundation fund provide clothes, shoes and toiletries to unhoused patients but remain short on specific sizes and new clothing; the hospital asked for donations and community promotion.
Metro General Hospital representatives told the Public Health & Safety Committee on Tuesday that the hospital’s emergency department provides shoes, clothing and basic supplies to patients experiencing homelessness but urgently needs more donations, especially men’s sizes and brand-new clothing.
Metro General presenters said the hospital stocks two supply closets — one on the inpatient unit and one downstairs — that are supported by donations and managed through the hospital’s foundation. "So I'm sure most of you know that 580,000 plus people, experience homelessness nightly," said Lisa Sampson, emergency department manager at Metro General Hospital, describing the scope of need the hospital sees. She said patients often arrive in the ED with inadequate or weather-inappropriate clothing.
The nut graph: Hospital staff said basic items such as shoes, pants and underwear are critical to care and discharge stability for unhoused patients; the hospital’s foundation and nonprofit partners supply the closets but cannot meet all demand. Metro General asked council members and the public to promote donation drives and said the foundation’s All Weather Wellness Fund accepts monetary contributions.
Sampson and colleagues described several specific needs and partnerships. "Shoes for men, we're looking at sizes 10 to 15. More 10 to 13 are our main sizes," Sampson said, adding that men's pants and shorts in medium to 2X are in higher demand because the ED sees more male patients. For infection-control reasons, Sampson said donated clothing must be brand new: "Also, the clothing, since we are a hospital and we have to worry about infectious concerns, the clothing has to be brand new."
The hospital cited community partnerships that supplement donations. Sampson said Bridal Builders provided backpacks filled with toiletries, water bottles and sometimes nonperishable food; "they've donated over 600 backpacks this past year," she said, and supplied 30 pairs of new men's shoes within two days when the hospital ran short. The Metro General Foundation funds and manages the All Weather Wellness Fund and supports the hospital’s food pharmacy and outreach work.
Council members and staff asked how to help. Sampson listed immediate needs: shorts and pants, deodorant, underwear for men and women, ponchos, sunblock, sanitary items and warm socks when winter collections begin. Council member Nash asked the hospital to provide a one‑page flyer with sizes and bullet points for sharing on social media; Sampson said foundation staff already produce flyers and would provide them to council offices.
Discussion versus action: the presentation was informational. No formal committee motion or vote followed; council members agreed to distribute the hospital’s donation flyer through their offices and social media. The hospital also asked nonprofits and community groups to coordinate with them on collections and drives.
Ending: Sampson said Metro General staff will also attend a budget conversation later in the week to further discuss needs and funding. The hospital provided contact information and asked committee members to publicize donation opportunities and the foundation’s All Weather Wellness Fund.
