Bloomfield Is Giving Out 50000 Pairs Of Socks To Homeless People

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Sometimes love is a huge pile of clean socks.

On Wednesday, April 10, the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services will hold an encore version of its hugely successful “sock giveaway,” which debuted last year. During the event, organizers and volunteers will deliver 50,000 pairs of new socks to more than 35 shelters and community aid organizations that help low income and homeless individuals.

Bloomfield held its first sock giveaway in 2017, when 30,000 pairs of socks were donated for the cause. The 2019 event is being held in collaboration with Neighbor to Neighbor Network (NTNN), Knock Knock Give a Sock (KKGS) and the Bloomfield Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Committee.

Registration is required for this year’s event, which will be held at 11 a.m. at the New Light Baptist Church. Residents can call 973-680-4017 to register.

Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia said that he was proud the community and local officials were able to come together to provide “essential human necessities” for the event.

“Knock Knock Give a Sock and the Neighbor to Neighbor Network are both tremendous organizations and it is always a pleasure working with these great causes to help individuals secure basic clothing needs,” Venezia said.

Health and Human Services Supervisor Paula Peikes said the reality is, many homeless people and those with “housing securities” rely on public spaces to wash.

“Providing these individuals with new, clean socks will not only keep them warm and comfortable, but will also help keep them healthy and prevent infections,” Peikes said.

• See related article: See Life Through The Lens Of Homeless NJ Photographers
• See related article: Newark Gives 50 Homeless Residents Jobs ... And Hope (VIDEO)

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com