Logo with the text Socks With A Mission. The “o” in “Socks” is replaced by a blue sock illustration. The words are in purple and blue on a white background.

Socks with a Mission

Organize a Sock Drive

Two people stand indoors, smiling at the camera. The adult holds colorful rolled socks, while the child holds a bag with various items. Large windows behind them show a street and buildings outside.
A large group of kids wearing masks pose together indoors, holding items and standing behind a pile of collected goods. Decorative text and graphics say OMG and AMAZING! with stars drawn around the group.
Three people stand outside on pavement next to a cart stacked with large boxes labeled ACE. Trees and a white van are in the background. The group is smiling at the camera.

Help us in our mission to provide new, warm and dry socks to those in need in the greater Pittsburgh area! We will help you organize your own sock drive by providing a helpful before and after check list as well as sample flyers and other advertisements to get you started. Then all you have to do is spread the word and collect the socks. We’ll take care of distributing the socks to those who need them the most.

Steps for Holding a Successful Sock Drive

  1. Assemble Your Team
    You don’t have to do it all alone. Collaborate with friends and neighbors to share the workload and build more excitement.
  1. Choose Your Drive Type
    How do you want to collect socks? A low-key collection box at churchwork or a friendly competition between grades at school? Maybe you want to host a social gathering with sock donations as your entry fee? The possibilities are endless.
  1. Select Dates for Your Drive
    Now you can decide when you want to hold your drive and for how long. You could do a month-long Socktober, a week or two-week long drive, or it could be a single night event.
  1. Educate Your Team & Spread Awareness
    Socks are one of the least donated items and yet the most requested. Learn why socks (link to why socks page) are so important so you can fuel your drive with facts and compassion for those less fortunate.  
  1. Get the Word Out
    It’s time to get creative. There are many ways to advertise your event including word of mouth, posters, flyers, text, email and social media. Download our logo (include link) to include in your advertisements or check out our sample sock drive flyer (include link) for even more inspiration.
  1. Hold Your Sock Drive
    Hold your very own sock drive and collect as many socks as you can. But please remember, all donated socks must be new and in their original packaging. Socks with a Mission does not have the necessary facilities to wash and sanitize used socks, so we do not accept them at this time. White crew length socks with reinforced toes and heals are ideal, but anything new is a rare treat and will be greatly appreciated. 
Poster for a sock drive by Socks With a Mission, requesting donations of new, packaged socks, especially men’s and women’s white crew, infant, and toddler sizes, for people in crisis in Pittsburgh.

Download Your Event Flyer

Make it easy for your community to join the mission. Use our printable flyer to promote your sock drive, rally volunteers, and spread the word. Just download, print, and post around town or share digitally!

Download PDF

What to Do After Your Sock Drive

1. Count Up & Bag Your Success

Congratulations on completing your sock drive! It’s time to see how many socks you collected. Please separate them by men’s, women’s and children’s sizes. Then place them into separate bags and label each bag with the kind and number of socks inside. (e.g., 120 pairs of men’s socks)

2. Distribute Your Donation

Please contact Socks with a Mission to arrange the drop off or pick up of your bagged and labeled socks. It’s that simple. We’ll take care of the rest. All your wonderful donations will be distributed to those experiencing homelessness or financial crisis right here in the amazing city of Pittsburgh or a nearby community.

3. Congratulations!

With your kind heart and good intentions, you have made a huge difference to so many people. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back and acknowledge how much your efforts are appreciated.

4. Share Your Story

The more you share your story, the more awareness you spread and more people you encourage. We would love to hear from you and see pictures from your drive. Contact us (link to contact page) so we can shake your hand – and maybe even share some Socks with a Mission swag!