The Salvation Army recently received two large boxes of socks to distribute to people who need a dry pair.

City of Zanesville Public Safety Director Keane Toney purchased a large box of socks in hope of giving them to an organization that could distribute them to community members in need. In addition to Toney’s donation, the Friends of Putnam organization donated a box of socks to the Salvation Army, as well.

“A lot of the homeless people, their only mode of transportation they have is the two feet on them and the pair of shoes they have on,” Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury said. “Nobody wants to have their feet cold and wet.”

Envoy George Bates and Office Manager Mindy McCloy from the Salvation Army said socks are a necessity that often get overlooked.

“You ever had wet feet and it’s cold outside,” Bates said. “First thing you want to do is get out of them wet shoes and socks and put on something dry.”

As simple as socks may seem, Bates said many people that go to the Salvation Army do not have access to a facility where they can dry their socks once they get wet, so providing people with a new pair after a storm is beneficial.

“I think it’s one of the life saving things, and they teach it all types of sports and, you know, the military emphasizes that you have to take care of your feet, you have to keep your feet dry especially if you’re working in wet areas,” Coury said. “If your mode of transportation is your feet, you have an issue if you destroy them.”

McCloy added that well over 100 people use the Salvation Army’s services every day. With the donation of 480 pairs of socks, many people that visit the facility could benefit from the donation.

Due to the weather conditions, the Salvation Army is in need of gloves, hats and blankets.

ZPD, as well as the Salvation Army encourage anyone that would like to donate items to the organization to do it during business hours to ensure the donation makes it inside the facility.

The Salvation Army is located at 515 Putnam Ave. in Zanesville.