Sock Drop Ministry

The Sock Drop Ministry allows our congregation to spread random acts of kindness through the love of Jesus Christ and assist some of Jacksonville's unhoused population in the Arlington and Downtown areas with a Blessing Bag of basic needs.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church's Sock Drop Ministry fulfills a passion our church has to help some of Jacksonville's displaced population. On a monthly basis, our congregation supplies, packs, and distributes approximately 50-75 "blessing bags" in the Downtown and Arlington areas.

Blessing Bags: Contents and Partnerships

The "blessing bags" include water, snacks (granola bars), canned meat and/or pasta, basic hygiene supplies, and two pairs of Bombas socks. (Our church is a giving partner of Bombas, who generously supplies them to us.) An inspirational blessing and a list of available resources in Jacksonville are also included.

Depending on the weather, hot coffee, hot chocolate, ice, cold water, tea, ice pops, new underwear, t-shirts, and ponchos may be distributed alongside the "blessing bags." Throughout the year, we also collect and distribute gently used jackets/coats, blankets, hats, and clothing.

When handing out the bags, we are always humbled by the interactions between volunteers and recipients. The gratitude felt by the people we meet is a true blessing. Our wish is that each person we encounter will feel the love of God through this ministry.

Why It Matters

Our Sock Drop Ministry helps us realize that people without a home, food, and warmth are not without hearts and souls. God loves us all. We share God's love and spread hope, offering at least some basic needs along with a smile and a blessing for a better day.

The following are just a few memorable encounters that have occurred while we were out and about:

• Saving a life by calling an ambulance for someone in need.

• Assisting a lady by discreetly helping her change her heavily soiled clothes.

• Meeting a young man who had just become displaced after defending his mother against an abusive partner.

• Helping people who had just been released from jail with nothing but a dead cell phone.

• Providing an impromptu ride for someone to the Sulzbacher Center.

• Encountering a mother with two young daughters who were hot and tired, wandering the streets in July waiting for the shelter for women and children to open for the evening (this encounter has always weighed heavily on our hearts).

• Even rehoming a large homeless dog who jumped in our car at one stop.

Get Involved

If you are interested in participating in any way, please join us at our next sock pack or sock drop!

Written by Megan Buscher Dec 2024