08/26/2026
SOCKTOBER — Help us sock the middle school kids, the homeless, and women’s shelters!
In just a few short weeks, it’s October. For several years, the Shawnee SDA Church has made it a community project to collect and distribute socks to young people and underserved in our community. The collection month is called “Socktober” creatively combining “socks” with October.
The church has set a goal of collecting 1,000 pairs of new socks for distribution in October.
“The thought is to give every middle school child in our community, a pair of socks,” stated Ronda Funks, the church’s outreach coordinator.
“If we give every child a pair of socks, it doesn’t single out those who may not have socks. We certainly don’t want to embarrass kids who can’t afford socks or don’t have them available at their home.”
Funk said there are approximately 1,075 middle school-aged students enrolled across public middle schools located in Shawnee. With students in sixth through eighth grades, the schools and counts are as follows: Shawnee Middle School, 705; Bethel Middle School, 245; and North Creek Middle School, 135.
The Shawnee Church has also adopted Horace Mann Elementary School, a small public school serving roughly 215 to 230 students in grades 1-5 within Shawnee Public Schools.
Other community organizations who have benefited from Socktober in the past are Project Safe, Hope House, and homeless projects.
“Socks are rarely donated but highly requested at shelters,” said Funk. “These ministries collect and hand out clean footwear to prevent medical issues like trench foot and infections.”
“It’s the same with kids. Many kids develop blisters from wearing improperly-sized shoes.”
There are other communities across the country that collect and distribute socks. According to Funk, many churches tie the act of handing out socks to the biblical tradition of foot-washing, framing it as a humble act of deep care.
In the religious and non-profit world, a sock ministry is a community service program focused on helping people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable young people.
Collection bins are currently being identified and placed across Shawnee or can be dropped off at the Oklahoma Conference of SDA located at 4735 NW 63rd St, Oklahoma City.
For those desiring to donate or collect socks, or ask businesses for donations of socks, receipts can be provided by leaving a message at 405-570-5900.
For those desiring to mail socks to the Socktober project, send to PO Box 785, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74802.
“Thank you for helping us show the love of Jesus by covering these little toes,” concluded Funk.
