Community Service project

Karr students donate more than 1,700 pairs of socks
Posted on 12/16/2021

Students at Edna Karr High School and members of the Jackson State University Alumni Chapter Metro New Orleans led by LaTosha Smith, Karr teacher and chapter member, provided more that 1700 pairs of socks, along with gloves and canned goods to three local shelters. 

This was nearly double Smith’s original goal of 1,000 pairs. We are so proud of the students and chapter members who participated and helped us exceed this goal.

Donations were made to the following shelters:
Hagar’s House (https://www.firstgracecommunityalliance.org/about/hagarshouse)
Hagar’s House is a sanctuary for women, children, and gender non-conforming folks that provides an open and empowering residential community, resource coordination, and a safe space to transition into sustainable housing. 
Hope House New Orleans (https://app.mobilecause.com/e/Dp4qeA?vid=ojtyv)
Using donations from the public and businesses, the Hope House, a faith-based organization in New Orleans works to assist the poor, low income, and less fortunate in Orleans Parish of Louisiana. We empower women & girls by providing a safe housing space, a supportive community of women, mentorship and guidance for formerly incarcerated and directly impacted women & girls to create a life after prison.
New Orleans Mission (NOM) (https://neworleansmission.org/
New Orleans Mission is dedicated to relieving human suffering. NOM combats poverty, hunger, homelessness, exploitation and oppression with the provision of food, clothing, shelter, medical care and other basic necessities of life.

Why socks?

students loading socks in a carDaily homeless persons are provided shelter, meals and other services to meet their needs. But there are regular seemingly insignificant needs that is often overlooked by those who fortunate enough to have a support system that ensures their daily needs are met. The National Alliance to end Homelessness estimates that each night, 500,000 people are experiencing homelessness in the United States. Many of these individuals go daily without clean, warm, healthy, and comfortable socks. 

The impact of such a small, simple gift of socks is tremendous. Clean socks are essential to disease prevention, foot pain relief, warmth, and overall quality of life. Clean new socks can fill a person with joy, impact their health and wellness, and bring comfort (both physically and emotionally) in difficult times. The socks donated were vibrant in color and design and provide the opportunity for recipients to show their personality. 

A representative from Hagar’s House expressed her gratitude for the donation and estimated that at least 300 women and children will benefit from this donation as part of their Christmas Holiday gift giveaway. 
Every donation makes a difference. But there’s something special about this particular donation. LaTosha’s vision to donate sock shows a deeper awareness of the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. 
In this season of giving, there’s no greater joy than meeting the needs of others and being humbled by the ability to do so. Thanks to the students of Edna Karr High School and JSU Alumni Chapter Metro New Orleans members to anyone who donated.