Photo: happysocktober.com
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — As the weather starts getting colder, homeless shelters are preparing for the winter ahead.
Children’s author Brad Montague created “Socktober” back in 2011, while he was working at an after-school program with kids in West Tennessee. The group noticed an increasing number of unhoused individuals and wanted to help.
“I called our local shelter and [came] to find out one of the most needed, least donated items, especially this time of year, was this basic need of socks,” said Montague.
Since its inception, the Socktober movement has spread across the world. Montague said the movement really hits home with children and some have helped spread the word by creating a Socktober website and flyers.
“We’ve found that people really do want to help and oftentimes it’s kids that have the most enthusiasm about jumping in,” said Montague. “So much of what actually drives it are these kids who have big hearts and a lot of creativity.”
Boston’s Pine Street Inn is the largest homeless services provider in New England. President Lyndia Downie said Socktober is a great way to get younger children involved and help the community here in Boston.
“I would say socks are top of [the] list. We need socks all year long, but heading into the winter, more people come in and the weather gets wetter and colder,” said Downie.
Downie said white socks are preferred because they can make it easier for residents getting medical treatment at Pine Street Inn. Winter hats and gloves are also crucial ahead of the winter.
“You’ve lost a place to live [and] you’ve lost this ability in your life, so it’s why we try to make sure people have the basics like the socks and the hats and the gloves, especially ahead of winter,” said Downie.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.
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