The Socktober Impact in Action: Warmth, Dignity, and Hope for Kids in Foster Care

Each year, as temperatures begin to drop, thousands of children in foster care brace themselves for the cold season with too few essentials to stay warm. Many arrive in care with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing that day. That often means socks that are torn, too small, or worn so thin you can see skin. Socktober exists to change that. What seems like a little thing can transform how a child feels about themselves and their place in the world. Below are real stories and reflections shared by foster families, social workers, and the children who’ve experienced the difference firsthand so you can see how real the Socktober impact can be.

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A Small Gift That Meant Everything

Foster Mom, Kim – Texas

My foster daughter, Lila, came to us in the middle of the night missing one sock. She had to leave a dangerous situation and they didn’t even have time to give her both [socks]. It broke my heart. When she got her new socks and saw the pink ones with little hearts, she held them up and said, ‘They’re mine? I get to keep them?’ That moment made me realize these kids don’t really get nothing that’s just theirs. I can’t believe she had to go through that. She still wears them to bed when she’s feeling scared.”

Keeping Hope Warm

Caseworker, Daniel – New York

“Winter hits hard in New York, and we often don’t think about what that means for the kids we serve. I’ve seen children show up to visits in flip-flops in 40-degree weather because that’s all they have.

Every October, when the Socktober boxes come in, it’s a huge relief. I remember a girl named Hope, 9 years old, who put on her first pair of thick Bombas socks and said, ‘Wow, my feet don’t hurt anymore.’ That really hit me hard. The socks don’t solve everything, but it gets rid of a big problem, and helps these kids feel comfortable and cared for.”

Confidence Starts with Comfort

Teen in Foster Care, Jasmine – 15, California

“At my old school, I used to tuck my feet under my chair because my socks were so ugly and gross. They were super thin and faded and sometimes my heel would get blisters if I was too embarrassed to wear them for the day with a certain outfit. When I got a Socktober box, I got five new pairs of socks and I almost cried. 

I wore them the next day to school, and no one noticed my socks, but I did. I felt good. It sounds silly, but I think I did better that day because I wasn’t self-conscious all day and focused on what my socks looked like.”

The Dignity of Having Something New

Foster Care Agency Director, Sandra – Michigan

“People often donate shirts and pants and the like, which we appreciate, and are very much needed in their own regard, but socks are different. They can’t be used, and they wear out so much faster. Socktober matters so much…every year, we distribute those brand-new pairs to kids who’ve never had anything brand-new before. Socks provide comfort in ways adults often underestimate.”

A Community That Cares

Foster Dad, Rick – North Carolina

“My wife and I started fostering last year, and our first placement was a sibling pair, ages 6 and 7. When they arrived, their socks were mismatched and full of holes. I don’t even think they were theirs! That night, my wife opened the Socktober box we had received from Foster Love and it helped in the nick of time. I think it helped the kids feel normal for once. Just normal kids, laughing, and warm, and safe.”

This Is Why Socktober Matters

Every October, Foster Love delivers thousands of new socks to children in foster care nationwide. Each pair does more than keep feet warm. It restores dignity, builds confidence, and shows a child that someone cares.

Small donations have big consequences. A single pair of socks can turn a cold day into a day of comfort. Schools, workplaces, and communities can all participate to make this winter season brighter for kids who need it most.

A pair of socks can’t fix everything, but it can make a child feel seen, safe, and valued. That’s the heart of Socktober.

HELP US SHIP 57,500 PAIRS OF BOMBAS SOCKS