Thursday, December 21, 2023

More than 3,000 pairs of new, unused socks were donated through the Livingston Parish Library as part of Baton Rouge Parents Magazine’s 19th Annual Sock It To Me! Sock Drive. 

Held every year during the holiday season, the Sock It to Me! Sock Drive takes place in the Greater Baton Rouge area, covering East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, and West Baton Rouge parishes. 

Socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters, according to Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. 

The 2023 sock drive ran from Nov. 1 – Dec. 11. All donations go to the less fortunate. 

This year, the Livingston Parish community donated approximately 3,055 pairs of socks across the Livingston Parish Library’s five branches. This is the most the system has ever collected. 

“We are truly overwhelmed by Livingston Parish’s giving spirit, but we are not surprised,” said Livingston Parish Library Director Michelle Parrish. “Every year, the community rallies behind this cause. But it carried a little more meaning this year, because all donations collected by the Library are staying in the parish.” 

To ensure donations remain in the Livingston Parish community, all socks collected by the Livingston Parish Library were donated to The Family Village, a Walker-based non-profit organization that serves Livingston Parish.  

Founded in 2018, The Family Village provides necessities to children who have been separated from their homes in a traumatic event. The items are provided free of charge to children of all ages, ranging from newborns to teenagers and young adults. 

On average, The Family Village serves more than one child per day. 

“The Family Village is truly grateful to the Livingston Parish Library and all of the people who donated socks, whether they gave a single pair or an entire bag,” said Rebecca Braun, director of The Family Village. “The Family Village serves foster families, kinship families, and families in crisis with basic needs. Community support and fundraisers like this help us serve the families that need it most. Every donation makes a difference.” 

More information on The Family Village can be found at www.tfvwalker.org.