Hundreds of pairs of socks were compiled in the Pennridge District Administration Office following a “Socktober” sock drive. (John Worthington – MediaNews Group)
The drive was a collaboration between the Pennridge School District and two local nonprofits, Socks for the Streets and The Giving Tree.
Nearly 1,700 pairs of socks will be distributed to unsheltered individuals in the region following a “Socktober” sock drive in the Pennridge community.
The drive was a collaboration between the Pennridge School District and two local nonprofits, Socks for the Streets and The Giving Tree.
“We work with all 11 schools and the district administration center to get 1,700 pairs of socks, and now we’re distributing it to [the nonprofits],” said Pennridge Communications Director David Thomas. “They know best how and where they are needed.”
Socks for the Streets was founded by student Declan Cassidy after his sister succumbed to substance abuse and homelessness. Through her experience, he learned that socks are among the most requested items at homeless shelters. The organization has since expanded its services to include meals, hygiene kits, wound care, snack bags, back-to-school items and more.
“It’s really important,” said Cassidy. “Everyone deserves to be treated equally.”
The Giving Tree teaches schoolchildren to give back through hands-on service projects. North Middle School works with the organization to run an annual sock drive with its sixth-grade students. This year’s socks will come with granola bars and crackers, said teacher Stacey Verespy.
“Our students will roll it up inside and put a little note, maybe just write, ‘Have a nice day’ or something to perk them up,” said Verespy. “And those sock rolls will then get distributed.”
Verespy and Thomas commended the organizations for providing safe and meaningful opportunities for children to help those in need.
“Every kid wants to do something,” said Thomas. “Just doing something as simple as collecting socks to help people whom they’ve never met before, counties away in the city, keep their feet warm, that’s a really cool opportunity. And we love to provide it.”
The sock drive is part of Pennridge’s effort to enhance its community outreach, stressed Thomas, noting the school district’s potential as a vehicle for coordinating large scale donation drives.
“We are the one agency that connects all the Pennridge communities. They all come here,” said Thomas. “We can bridge a gap that might exist between the school district and the school community. We’re all one community.”
In addition to giving back, the sock drive aims to destigmatize poverty and homelessness in the community, said Socks for the Streets president Jennifer Malazito, mother of Cassidy.
“Declan’s sister suffered from substance use disorder and was homeless, so we were trying to teach him not judge someone that you see on the streets because it was my daughter, his sister,” said Malazito. “It’s someone else’s loved one. We want to teach kids, don’t judge people. There’s a story behind everyone.”
