Sock collection is warming the soles of those in need
To help those in need fight off cold feet this winter, Zedrick Clark is collecting new and gently worn socks for the homeless at his store, Nature’s Blessings, on Main Street in Berlin. Socks can be dropped off through Jan. 14 as part of a “Warm Their Soles” campaign. Socks for men, women and children are needed.
“We’re hoping to collect 1,000 socks by that date,” said Clark, who has been trying to look to the needs of those who must do without the basics for several years. “We would love to exceed that 1,000 mark, and any organization who would like to also serve as a drop-off point for socks would be very welcome to join the effort.”
Collected socks will be delivered to Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County.
“Socks are one of the three main things needed to help those without a place to live but which are often overlooked in donations: underwear, socks and feminine hygiene products,” Clark said. “It’s not just about the Christmas season. We hope collecting socks through this month and into the new year will help others understand that people need the basics throughout the year, not just during the holidays.”
Clark said the idea came from his daily acknowledgement of his own blessings. “Every morning I’m grateful for the many blessings I enjoy. I have a home, a warm bed, clothes to wear, and I was putting on my socks and thought, ‘How many people don’t have that ability? How many don’t have warm socks to wear?’ It’s such a simple thing we take for granted, and we tend to forget that not everyone is so fortunate,” he said.
Clark began doing what he could to help those less fortunate than himself while living in Columbus during his college years.
“I didn’t have much money at all, but I figured the simple thing I could do was to invite someone sitting on the street to come and have a cup of coffee with me, maybe a sandwich. Even at that age people would say it was foolish to give money to the poor because they would just spend it unwisely, probably on booze or drugs. But I can tell you a person without a place to live and no food is much more likely to spend whatever they can get on something to eat,” Clark said.
Clark’s efforts began, as he says, “in a real way” when he later worked with a teen leadership group through Church and Community Development for All People, an organization that Clark said welcomes everyone, regardless of background, religion or situation.
“It really had a big impact. We worked with teens to do tangible things to help others, gathering needed supplies and raising funds,” Clark said.
Concerning ways to help, Clark said, “We would be absolutely thrilled if any other businesses or organizations in the area would like to serve as a sock drop-off point. Stores, churches, anyplace would be wonderful and welcome. We would love to gather 2,000 socks or more and have to make several delivery trips to Friends of the Homeless.”
Clark said the sock drive has many benefits with some being perhaps less obvious. “Even if this just makes people think of their own blessings, of being able to simply put on a clean, warm pair of socks every morning, then this is worth doing,” he said.
Nature’s Blessings is at 4860 E. Main St. in Berlin.