In celebration of #GivingTuesday, and as part of its eighth national sock drive, supplier HanesBrands donated 225,000 pairs of socks and 18,000 pairs of underwear to organizations fighting homelessness across the United States. Since the program began in 2009, the brand has provided more than 2 million pairs of socks to help people experiencing homelessness. To spotlight the nature of the issue in America, Hanes also partnered with nonprofit group Invisible People to share “day in the life” stories of three people experiencing homelessness.

Hanes is partnering with The Salvation Army, Delivering Good, Covenant House and nearly 30 other community-based relief programs to distribute the apparel to those in need. Socks and underwear continue to be the most requested items from relief agencies who work with the homeless. The initiative is part of Hanes for Good, the corporate responsibility program of HanesBrands.

“Most of us take new socks and underwear for granted, but we know these items bring great comfort to and make a dramatic difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness,” says Sidney Falken, chief branding officer, HanesBrands. “Access to something as basic as clean, dry socks can literally save lives within our country’s homeless population.”

Each year, an estimated 2.5 million to 3.5 million Americans sleep in shelters, transitional housing and public places not meant for human habitation, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. It is reported that 7.4 million people have lost their homes and are living with family or friends due to economic necessity, and one million people who are experiencing homelessness have full-time jobs.

“It may be surprising for many to learn that those who are homeless today were much like the rest of us not so long ago,” says Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People. “I never planned to live on the street, and neither does anyone else.

“It is only by getting up close and personal with the veterans, mothers, children, those impacted by job loss and others who have been forced to the streets by a variety of circumstances that we can truly understand the real challenges of homelessness, as well as possible solutions. And that’s why our joint effort to educate the general public about this issue is so incredibly important.”

Visit www.hanes.com/sockdrive to learn more about those experiencing homelessness, get information about the organizations participating in this year’s sock drive and find out how to support homeless-relief initiatives in communities across the country and/or donate directly to Covenant House or Invisible People.