Among the most requested items by unhomed people are underwear and socks. No one wants to wear used underwear and people usually wear their socks until they are in no condition to be donated, leaving gaps in the supply of these two essentials.
In 2010, Brad Montague was working in a homeless shelter in Tennessee and decided he could do something about socks. He engaged his network and ended up with a carload of foot coverings—and a fun name for his effort: Socktober. Just as the weather was turning cooler and the demand increased, the sock drive began…
…and in the 14 years since, it has spread to every state and several foreign countries. Montague estimates that over a million pairs of socks have been donated to shelters. What a great example of how one person can ignite a movement and make an impact in the world.
If you’re interested in starting your own Socktober, Montague offers tips for spreading the word, but an individual contribution of a few pairs would always be welcome at your local shelter. Your effort doesn’t have to be lofty to make a difference for someone.
