As the colder months approach, one Niagara charity is preparing to get thousands of pairs of warm wool socks into the hands of people who need them most.
Socks for Change founder Sam Baio says the organization has already committed to purchasing around 30,000 pairs of socks, with demand continuing to grow across Niagara.
He says he's noticed a significant increase in requests from women and children experiencing poverty, along with more people living in encampments.
Baio says the organization has also focused on the quality of the socks it distributes. Working with wool manufacturers in Montreal and Toronto, Socks for Change provides high-quality wool socks at a cost of about two dollars per pair.
That material makes a real difference during the winter months. Unlike cotton, wool can still provide insulation when it gets wet, helping people who spend time outdoors stay warmer in difficult conditions.
The charity works to connect with community organizations, schools and outreach groups throughout the region to make sure the socks reach people who need them. Baio says the need has continued to surprise him, even after roughly a decade of running the initiative.
Despite the growing workload, he says the hands-on nature of the work is something he enjoys, from sorting socks in the warehouse to delivering them directly to people and organizations.
He emphasizes that the money raised through the charity stays within Niagara, helping ensure donations make a direct difference locally.
With winter approaching, Socks for Change is continuing to work with community partners to get warm socks to people who need them. Baio hopes more people will consider supporting the initiative as demand continues to grow.
(Written by: Matt Latour)