Today is the fifth annual #GivingTuesday, which celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy. Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Businesses, including those that operate in the promotional products industry, are using this holiday season to give back to their communities and to support various charities and causes. Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based HanesBrands, which participates in the promotional products industry as supplier Hanes/Champion (PPAI 191138) announced on Monday that it will donate 200,000 pairs of socks to The Salvation Army and is expanding this year’s effort by coordinating the collection of new socks at 160 HanesBrands Outlet stores across the country.
“Walking a mile in someone’s shoes takes on a much different meaning when that person is homeless,” says Sidney Falken, chief branding officer for HanesBrands. “Socks are the most requested—and least donated—item in homeless shelters. And access to something as basic as a clean, dry pair of socks can literally save lives within our country’s homeless population.”
Hanes has donated more than 1.9 million pairs of socks to The Salvation Army since launching the program in 2009. The program is part of Hanes for Good, the company’s corporate social responsibility program focused on environmental stewardship, workplace quality and community building.
Consumers can join in the effort in supporting their local communities through sock donations by visiting one of 160 HanesBrands Outlet stores across the country. Collection bins are located at checkout counters, making it easy to donate as purchases are made. Store employees will distribute the donated socks to local nonprofit organizations.
Among the thousands of charities and organizations spreading the word on #GivingTuesday is the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that PPAI has supported since 2007. Its mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. Every $25 donated to the Kids In Need Foundation gives a student a new backpack filled with school supplies to help them succeed in the classroom.
Staff and volunteers from KINF have been at The PPAI Expo for the past nine years collecting donated promotional products after the show closes, and in that time they have collected nearly $300,000 worth of products that are then made available to schools through teacher resource centers.