Congregation members at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus now know what 547 pairs of new socks look like. That’s how many they collected during their Socktober drive, to donate to the YMCA’s Undercover Project.
Throughout October, church members purchased 204 pairs of children’s socks, 139 pairs of women’s socks and 204 pairs for men — all to be distributed through the Y.
“Last year we collected 378 pairs; this year we collected 547,” said Jennet Lacey who chairs St. Paul’s Servant Ministry outreach committee. “If you think about it, socks are one of the most requested things at homeless shelters, and they’re relatively inexpensive.”
Socktober, now in its second year, complements the YMCA’s annual Undercover Project, which collects undergarments and socks for distribution to people enduring a crisis.
“We started doing this after (Hurricane) Katrina,” explained Stephanie Gibson, Christian Mission Outreach director at the Y. The need was brought to her attention by the American Red Cross, which shared that while people often donate clothing when disaster strikes, those donations don’t usually include new undergarments.
The Undercover Project has become more high profile in recent years, with displays put up in high-traffic areas of the Y.
“Each September at the Y we gather new underclothing and socks at all three of our sites, in downtown, New Hope and Caledonia,” said Gibson. Y employees and volunteers sort, bag and store the donated items, ready for distribution in times of emergency.
“Last year in February, when we had the tornadoes, we partnered with Genesis Dream Center and gave more than 400 pounds of undergarments to people who came there with need,” Gibson said. The Y partnered, too, with Vibrant Church for distribution. Gibson has also been able to respond to requests from other partner agencies and the hospital.
Although September is the focus month for the Y’s Undercover Project, and St. Paul’s has concluded this year’s Socktober, Gibson said the Y will take donations of new undergarments or socks at any time of the year from civic groups, businesses or individuals.
“We have realized that these (items) meet a very viable need,” said Gibson. “We don’t solve the whole problem, but we try to do our part.”
For more information, contact Gibson at 662-328-7696.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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