From left: Jeff Goin (Single Socks), Sierra Collins (Aldo Leopold H.S.), Kathleen Wigley (Single Socks), Daniel Gruszka (Aldo Leopold H.S.), Marjie Alkire, Maureen O'Brien, Mary Tibbets, and Ann Alexander (all of Single Socks).
Single Socks, a Silver City non-profit thrift store, announced that it has awarded $32,450 – the highest since the store was opened in 2009 – in grants to eight Grant County anti-hunger organizations.
Since its inception, Single Socks has given away over $165,000 to local food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and other food distribution organizations that serve families in need.
Single Socks co-founder and store manager Kathleen Wigley says that the accomplishment is a group effort.
"Without the hard work of our volunteers, the generous donations by the people of our community, and the loyalty of our customers, this support simply would not be possible," Wigley said.
According to a news release issued by Single Socks, the following organizations were awarded grants:
• Grant County Community Food Pantry (coordinated by The Volunteer Center) -- $4,850 for purchase of food for distribution to families in need.
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish -- $1,000 for purchase of food for distribution to families.
• Mobile Food Pantry (coordinated by The Volunteer Center) -- $2,500 to serve families and individuals in the Gila/Cliff Area.
• The Silver City Gospel Mission -- $4,850 to improve the quality and quantity of food served at their soup kitchen and distributed through the Gospel Mission's food box program.
• 1st Presbyterian Church -- $1,200 for food cards to needy families and individuals.
• Children of Grant County -- $4,000 to stock food pantries for homeless Silver and Cobre High School students.
• Aldo Leopold High and Middle Schools -- $6,000 to assist students from qualifying households with the purchase of nutritious lunches.
• Rio Mimbres Baptist Church -- $4,850 for purchase of food for distribution to families in need.
• Guadalupe Montessori School -- $3,200 for equipment and supplies for food preservation, thus enabling the cost-effective serving of nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to students throughout the year.
For more information on Single Socks' funding criteria, visit www.singlesocks-sc.org.