CENTERVILLE, Minn. – (Feb. 11, 2016) – A simple sign on Main Street in Centerville is making a big difference. A floral shop employee in Centerville wanted to do something to help the growing number of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness after seeing the struggles of her homeless brother. “In August of 2015 they recovered my brother’s body from the river down by the St. Paul park,” said Socks for the Homeless founder Marsha Marcussen. After her brother went missing in 2013, she decided she had to do something. She got involved and raised money for those experiencing homelessness. “I continued my journey with helping the homeless by having a sock drive,” said Marcussen. Now, she is managing the Socks for the Homeless donation drive, because socks are one of the most needed but least donated items at shelters. The service agency the socks go to is a special place for Marcussen. “So far we went to the [Union Gospel Mission] because my brother had utilized that location on occasion when it got really cold and so I thought what better thing to keep going in his memory and to support the men that continue to go there,” said Marcussen. Homelessness is not confined to the inner city. There is need for help in the suburbs and rural areas too. Bringing supplies and awareness to the issue can lift spirits and save lives. “You’d be surprised by how many people are in need of just the simple things we need that we take for granted every day. They really do appreciate it and the men when we drop it off it just lightens their world. Just that little thing, they appreciate it very much and they do tell you that,” said Marcussen. The sock drive will continue as long as the donations keep coming in. You can stop by Centerville Floral to donate socks, click here for more information.
