LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sock donations are needed year round for organizations serving Louisville’s homeless residents.

Wayside Christian Mission is one of Louisville’s largest organizations serving homeless residents and Wayside also operates Hotel Louisville. Executive Director Nina Moseley recently received a “truck-sized” donation.  

“Yeah, that’s a whole lot of socks. A lot of people need them,” said Alvin Turner. A volunteer with the organization, Turner counted the boxes as he stacked them in Hotel Louisville lobby.

Turner has been volunteering at Hotel Louisville and Wayside Christian Mission for eight months. He says a close friend experienced homelessness and stayed at Hotel Louisville. That’s why he volunteers now and knows how valuable this donation of socks is.

“We down her for different reasons but we come together as one and we volunteer as one and we do what we got to do just help,” Turner shared. “You have to help a lot of people. It’s very much needed,” he added.

This donation comes from employees at UPS and the UPS Foundation.

“So what we have here is nearly 25,000 pairs of socks that our UPS’ers at World Port collected and donated,” Andrew Takami, the community relations manager for the UPS Foundation, reported. “You can put a lot in a UPS package vehicle,” he added.

It’s the fourth year the UPS Foundation has organized such a drive with Wayside Christian Mission.

The socks will not idle long as they will be taken to points across the city. New socks will be given to people living in shelters, staying at Hotel Louisville and be delivered to others at homeless encampments.

“If you’re in Louisville, you know Wayside Christian Mission is delivering what matters to everyone who comes through the doors,” Takami said.

More socks are needed because apparently it’s not an item often donated. “You need socks every day,” Turner said. The UPS Foundation adds Thursday’s donation includes many styles of socks for adults and children.