Businesses, residents participate in Socktober

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This article was published 29/10/2021 (1739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the cold weather approaches, residents and businesses have spent the month of October collecting socks for Main Street Project.

The Socktober campaign, now in its fourth year in Winnipeg, aims to collect 20,000 pairs of new socks to keep feet dry and warm. People experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of developing serious feet health issues including infections, ulcers, ingrown toenails and nerve damage due to diabetes, according to Main Street Project.

Corinne Danard, a resident of Lord Roberts, said she may not have money to donate to charities but does have time to help out.

Danard placed a bin on her front doorstep and has been posting in community groups asking for donations.

“I didn’t grow up with very much money, but we always had clothes, food and a roof over our head, but if your feet are cold, you’re cold,” Danard said.

Danard hopes she’ll receive enough donations to fill up two garbage bags worth of socks. In previous years, Danard and her husband participate in a similar fundraiser for Manitoba Harvest.

“Even if you’re not homeless, are you going to buy yourself warm socks or your kids warm socks if that’s all the money you have?” Danard said. “There are lots of working poor, lots of people just making ends meet and lots of people got laid off.”

Danard said those interested in donating socks can reach out to her via email at corinnedanard@mymts.net

“You should help out wherever you can,” Danard said. “Not everybody is as fortunate as others. To me, it’s just being a good citizen and looking out for other people around you and your community.

“Being poor is not a statement of your character. Lots of people are one paycheck away from being on the street.”

Residents aren’t the only ones taking part in this year’s Socktober. Sookram’s Brewing Co., located at 479-B Warsaw Ave. in Fort Rouge, also began participating in the initiative last year after a staff member brought it to management’s attention.

“We thought it was a good cause and something to something easy to do,” Colin Enquist, director of sales and marketing for Sookram’s Brewing Co., said. “It’s something that is needed, and nobody should be cold as we roll into the winter.”

The Winnipeg-based brewery filled two bins with socks last year and picked up extra pairs themselves before donating the proceeds to Main Street Project.

“We were unsure how many people were truly going to drop off socks, but we were overwhelmed by how many came in the first week and filled up the bins,” Enquist said.

Sookram’s Brewing Co. participates in different community initiatives, including fundraising personal hygiene products for women’s resource centres throughout Winnipeg, Bear Clan Patrol, Black Lives Matter groups and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

Coming up, the Sookram’s team will be donating proceeds of their Cult Classic pilsner to the St. Amant Centre. They have raised over $7,000 for the not-for-profit organization and plan on starting a similar fundraiser for a new charity in February or March.

Those interested in donating socks to the brewery will also receive $1 off per pint until the first week of November.

More information about Socktober can be found at www.happysocktober.com or www.mainstreetproject.ca