Bookstore partners with Center for the Homeless

The Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and the South Bend Center for the Homeless have joined forces to raise funds and awareness for the Center through the newly implemented SOCK Out Homelessness Campaign.

The campaign, which began Oct. 3, receives a portion of the proceeds from each pair of Notre Dame Under Armour socks sold at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore, Hammes Bookstore and Cafe on Eddy Street, Leep Varsity Shop, DelleIce Irish Hockey Shop, Stadiums Shops, Notre Dame Bookstore of Chicago and NDCatalog.com, according to a press release from the Bookstore.

“For every pair of socks sold before the end of football season, a dollar will be donated to the South Bend Center for the Homeless,” David Werda, director of Notre Dame retail operations, said.  “So right now we’re holding out hope that this campaign lasts until Jan. 12, when Notre Dame is playing in the championship.”

Customers have the additional option to donate purchased socks directly to the Center for the Homeless in bins located inside the Bookstore.

“You sometimes take a pair of socks for granted,” Taya Groover, chief developmental officer at the South Bend Center for the Homeless, said. “However, a lot of our guests come in and may not have a pair or are in desperate need of a replacement. It all helps.”

Saturday, the Bookstore hosted The Ultimate Tailgate, featuring a wide variety of games and contests, to help raise awareness about the SOCK Out Homelessness Campaign. Over the course of the weekend, 319 pairs of socks were purchased and donated to the Center.

Caitlin Kinser, marketing manager for Notre Dame retail operations, said the SOCK Out Homelessness Campaign helps to unify the campus community.

“We’re really excited about this opportunity because it allows the entire Notre Dame community to get involved,” she said. “Each individual who purchases a single pair of socks is contributing to the effort.”

Werda said the main goal of the campaign is to bring aid and awareness to the South Bend Center for the Homeless.

“The Bookstore and the Center for the Homeless have a longstanding relationship,” he said. “We have the desire to give back to the campus community. This seemed like a great way to draw attention to a great cause.”

The South Bend Center for the Homeless is in its 25th year of service. Groover said as the weather gets colder, the Center increases its number of residents.

“Ultimately, we’re just thankful for everyone who is coming together to help sock out homelessness,” Groover said.  “It’s incredible to see the positive relationship Notre Dame has not just with the Center, but with the community as a whole.”