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Foot problems plague many of the millions of people across the United States who identify as being homeless. One parish in the Albany Diocese is trying to help.

St. Michael the Archangel parish in South Glens Falls initiated a campaign during Advent called, "Save Some Soles." The project, fronted by music minister Sarah "Sally" Scuderi, is collecting new or gently-used socks for patrons of the Code Blue Shelter and the Open Door Kitchen in Glens Falls.

St. Michael's is "a very giving parish," said Mrs. Scuderi, who came up with the idea for the project after talking to a nursing friend who explained that many homeless people wear ill-fitting shoes and old socks. The socks are often soaked and dirty, since people living on the street don't have the money or the means to wash their clothes on a regular basis.

Rev. Guy Anthony Childs, pastor of St. Michael's, said the response to the Save Some Soles project has been tremendous: More than 700 pairs of socks have been donated so far, with the campaign continuing until Christmas.

Father Childs said that the project was a good way to spark interest in the parish community and a different approach to community giving.

According to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal titled, "Homelessness and Health," "People living on the street are particularly prone to develop skin diseases."

Foot disorders among the homeless "are usually the result of inadequate footwear, prolonged exposure to moisture, long periods of walking and standing, and repetitive minor trauma," the article states.

The the Open Door Soup Kitchen in Glens Falls, one recipient of the socks from St. Michael's, states that it is "dedicated to reaching out and serving needs of the poor and homeless of our community." The kitchen oversees the Code Blue Shelter, an emergency overnight shelter.

Mrs. Scuderi told The Evangelist that, as someone who can get a pedicure if she likes, she feels for people who don't even have basic foot care. Offering new socks is one small way to emulate Jesus, who washed the feet of His disciples.

The organizer added that she got her inspiration for the project from Pope Francis, who has washed the feet of prison inmates and others.

Parishioner Terrie Beshara of St. Michael's has a special interest in the project. A nurse practitioner at St. Peter's Health Partners in Albany, she sees patients who suffer from hypothermia and frostbite and even have fingers and toes amputated.

"We need to make more people aware that there is a need," she stated. "I think a lot of people don't realize how many homeless people we really have. They don't realize how many people don't have decent clothing."

Word of the "Save Some Soles" campaign has reached across state borders. Susan Sane, another parishioner of St. Michael's, said her daughter sent 10 pairs of socks from New Jersey and wants to bring the idea to her own church.

"You don't think of something small like a pair of socks" when giving to charity, said Mrs. Sane. "It's something that we don't realize."[[In-content Ad]]

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