MSU "Socktober" blows past expectations

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - For the past four years MSU Mankato’s Office of Community Engagement has run an annual sock and underwear collection drive.

This year’s goal was based on the past few year’s outputs.

“Our goal was actually 400 socks, so we definitely blew that out of the water,” said MSU student Erica Bartkey.

But through a combination of student groups, faculty networks and whole departments around 4,000 items were raised instead, a number that went far beyond anyone’s expectations.

“We blew it out of the water, and just seeing the organizations coming together and working as a team to fill one goal was really inspiring,” said student Elenore Milde. “I think it’s amazing that we were able to do something so big as students.”

From here the items will be distributed to local organizations.

The original list included CADA, Connections Shelter, Partners for Housing and the Salvation Army, but the sheer amount of donations means that list has expanded to include organizations like My Place, A Fresh Start and The Reach.

The college does drives like these throughout the year, including drives for coats and blankets during the winter, but faculty members said that the turnout is almost never something to this level.

“I’m just so proud of our students this year this is way above and beyond anything I could have imagined when we introduced this, and when everyone just got on board behind the cause they really just sunk their teeth in it and just went all the way with it,” said faculty advisor Crystal Watts.

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