Sock Drives
Project Ellie “Walking in Another’s Shoes” Sock Drive
Did you know that socks are the most needed but least donated item at homeless shelters?
Conducting a sock drive is a rewarding activity and a perfect way to help those experiencing homelessness. Most people don’t realize what a big difference a clean pair of socks can make. A variety of health issues can arise from poor foot care that so frequently accompanies individuals experiencing homelessness.
Sock drives can be hosted by any interested group - grade schools, high schools, colleges, universities, churches, synagogues, workplaces, sports teams - any group concerned with making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Creating a friendly competition during the course of the sock drive is also a great way to boost the number of pairs of socks collected. Here are some examples:
A competition among different grades in a school
A competition among class advisories
Middle School versus High School
A workplace department versus another
You get the idea!
** Check in with us about prizes for the winning group (Morning donuts, afternoon pizza party!)
Interested in conducting a sock drive?
Please contact us! We would love to discuss the various options for hosting a sock drive at your school or organization. You may decide to have an in-person sock drive, a virtual sock drive, or hold a sock drive as a fundraiser. Please call us 603.401.7321 or email us at: info@projectellie.org. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide information on the process of hosting a sock drive.
At the conclusion of your sock drive, we will come and pick up the socks you collected. If your school, business, or organization prefers to donate the socks to a specific shelter, we can make that happen too.
Sock Drive Options & Tips
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This is the traditional option. You set the time (New socks for those experiencing homelessness are always needed.) Follow these easy steps and you will be on your way to hosting a successful drive!
Contact Project Ellie to let us know about your drive. Please get in touch with us with any questions you might have. We would be happy to help walk you through the process.
Publicize! You can do so through in-house communication channels as well as through social media. Project Ellie can help with publicity! Important -Please remind those making donations that the socks must be new. We cannot accept even lovely, gently worn socks!
Set a collection location that is secure and makes it easy for those donating to access.
Take photos of the event! Step five - Contact Project Ellie once again to arrange for us to pick up the socks you collected.
Contact Project Ellie once again to arrange for us to pick up the socks you've collected.
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This can be a great option for schools! Instead of collecting socks, your school can host a “crazy socks day” or “crazy sock week” whereby students and staff also make a monetary donation. Simply set the time frame and donation amount. The proceeds will be given to Project Ellie, which we will use to purchase the kind of socks we need the most. At the conclusion of the fundraiser, we will make arrangements to pick up the donations you collected.
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Determine the dates for your drive. Socks are needed throughout the year.
Determine the best means for collecting the socks - whether you place bins in a central location or in individual classrooms or office areas if the sock drive is a competition.
Contact Project Ellie at 603-401-7321 so Patti can walk you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
Please collect only NEW socks. Although many gently used socks are in excellent shape, we CANNOT accept them.
Spread the word about your donation drive through in-house communications, email, print and social media. Project Ellie will help with this!
Take photos at the end of your drive. Post on social media, do a press release - Get the word out!
Count and sort the socks, separating men’s, women’s, and children’s socks. Please give us a grand total as well!
Contact Project Ellie so we can organize a pick up time.
Offer a winning prize to encourage competition!
Looking for info on Gift Card Drives or Donations?
