Vernon Voters Can Donate Pet Food, New Socks at Election Day Polling Sites

VERNON, CT — Vernon residents can donate pet food to the Vernon Pet Pantry or new socks and underwear to Cornerstone Shelter when they go to the polls Nov. 3.

Collection boxes will be placed in the hallways outside the main entrances to each voting location on Election Day. Donations are optional and are not required to vote.

The Vernon Pet Pantry, established in October 2024, collects dog and cat food for families struggling to afford food for their pets amid rising costs.

Organizers are seeking donations of dry and wet pet food to help ensure that dogs and cats in financially strained households have enough to eat.

The sock collection is part of "Socktober," an annual initiative started several years ago by Tommy Glinski, who was then a student at Rockville High School. The effort has collected thousands of pairs of new socks for Cornerstone Shelter.

The new socks will be distributed through Cornerstone's clothing bank. While the shelter accepts gently used clothing, it seeks new socks and underwear because of the personal nature of those items.

Residents can contribute to either collection when visiting their polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.