Bainbridge Island has renewed its sponsorship of a WeCount #BoxOfSox for an additional year, city officials have announced.

WeCount #BoxOfSox is a program that provides socks to individuals in need, and the city has sponsored the #BoxOfSox outside the Washington State Ferry Terminal on Seattle’s waterfront since the program began in October 2016.

Donations of socks from the community are collected in the main lobby at Bainbridge Island City Hall and then distributed to the #BoxofSox.

“Participating in the #BoxofSox program has been an easy way for our community to do something to help people experiencing homelessness,” said City Manager Doug Schulze.

“Thanks to generous donations from community members, and partnerships with the Bainbridge Island High School Social Justice League and Buckley and Buckley Real Estate, we have delivered over 3,000 pairs of socks to our #BoxofSox,” Schulze said.

Bainbridge joined the program right when it started a year ago.

“We are so proud that the city of Bainbridge Island was our first sponsor!” said Graham Pruss, WeCount’s co-founder and executive director. “And we are even more pleased that the city has agreed to continue its commitment to sponsoring their #BoxOfSox for an additional year. Our partnering organizations are vital to the success of our program.”

The #BoxOfSox program has 12 repurposed blue newspaper bins throughout Seattle/King County that provide 24-hour access to clean, dry socks for anybody who needs them. Sponsoring organizations are responsible for making sure that their #BoxOfSox is kept full of socks and clean of any debris.

Bainbridge Island residents who want to donate socks can drop them off at city hall.