N.C. FFA Chapter Spreads Warmth with 30K Socks and Spirit of Service

INDIANAPOLIS — What started as one donation has grown into a massive effort that’s helping people across the country. The South Iredell FFA Chapter received 30,000 pairs of brand-new socks and made it their mission to distribute them to those most in need. The students delivered thousands of pairs to a homeless shelter in North Carolina and have brought the rest of their supply to Indianapolis, where members are assembling care bags for individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the week of the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.

“Living to Serve” projects turn compassion into action, and the FFA chapter at South Iredell in Statesville did just that. Just one donation quickly developed into an elaborate service project that epitomizes the FFA motto, “Living to Serve.” Through a partnership with the local Wilson Brown Sock Co., the chapter received 30,000 pairs of new socks.

Then, members made it their mission to distribute these socks to those most in need.

From the very outset, the chapter identified that the most meaningful involvement could be made through partnership with Fifth Street Ministries. This homeless shelter serves people and families in Iredell County, North Carolina, and beyond.

With that same “Living to Serve” spirit, the South Iredell FFA Service Project reached out to serve those in their community that were experiencing homelessness, hoping to turn something small, like a warm, clean pair of socks into comfort, and even restored dignity for someone in need. As part of a 30,000-sock donation effort, South Iredell FFA officers delivered 25,000 pairs to Fifth Street Ministries.

Transporting that many socks was no small task. The South Iredell FFA Service Project embodied the meaning of teamwork as two chapter officers, one advisor, and three alumni loaded and unloaded two trailers — four times in total — until every sock was delivered.

“It was hard work, but every trip reminded us why we were doing this,” said one of the participating officers.

“Knowing how many lives will be touched made every load worth it,” added another.

After they had made their delivery to Fifth Street Ministries, the remainder of the socks from the South Iredell FFA Service Project were sorted in a store-like setting, where local law enforcement and children’s shelters could come and take what they needed. This way, the resources went further and found their way into the hands of those who were in the best position to help others.

The project’s reach now extends well beyond state borders. During the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this week, South Iredell FFA members have been working with other chapters around the country to package care bags filled with socks, toiletries and handwritten inspirational notes. The bags will be distributed to area shelters and outreach programs serving people who are experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis.

“It reflects exactly what FFA is about,” said one of the chapter’s advisors. “It’s students, teachers and alumni working side by side to serve others. The scale of this donation shows the power of community partnerships, but the heart of the project comes from our members who put in the work.”

Throughout the week, South Iredell members have continued packing and distributing care bags across downtown Indianapolis as part of FFA’s nationwide service efforts. Their actions are helping hundreds of people, and inspiring other FFA members to launch similar projects in their own communities.