Socks and Sweets

Published June 08, 2009 @ 04:28AM PT

If you think it takes deep pockets and political connections to make a difference, you are wrong. Sometimes, it's the smallest and most simple gestures that can brighten a day for volunteers and recipients alike. And the best part is, genuine gestures of kindness can make a big impact... and anyone can do them.

The San Francisco Chronicle wrote a piece this week about a group of young adults who distributed socks and desserts to people on the streets in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood:

"With all the budget cuts, you can feel out of control - like you can't do anything," said Schlageter, who came up with the "Socks and Sweets" theme after people asked for socks at other events - and she realized, enjoying a dessert one night, how many people don't have that pleasure. "We're trying to remind people that you can do something."

Our very own Mark Horvath can attest to the power of a pair of socks in reaching out to those who are otherwise shunned by society. He regularly totes around socks, raincoats, and other small necessities for those he meets on the streets.

Indeed, the powerful thing about these acts is not the material object being distributed, but rather the eye contact, the friendly interaction, and the caring acknowledgment of someone who is too often ignored.

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Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.