Origin Story

Mission Socks began with a moment of conviction in the heart of a teenager. While visiting Atlanta, Georgia in 2017, founder Carver O’Neal encountered homelessness on a large scale for the first time. Moved by compassion and driven by a desire to help, Carver did some research and asked, “What do these people need most?” The answer surprised him—socks. One of the most essential and personal items for comfort and hygiene was also one of the most requested and least donated.

That discovery planted the seed for what would become Mission: Socks.

Upon returning to his hometown in Mississippi, Carver launched a grassroots sock drive. With just four drop-off locations and the support of a few volunteers, the effort collected 665 pairs of socks, which were donated to Atlanta Mission. What started as a simple act of service quickly grew into a movement. By 2018, Mission Socks became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit, expanded across Mississippi, and established partnerships with schools, churches, and businesses to collect and distribute thousands of pairs of socks each year.

Today, Mission Socks continues to serve those in need across multiple states, having donated over 46,000 socks to homeless shelters, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, foster care ministries, and underserved communities . At the heart of it all is our unwavering commitment to share the Light of Christ through ordinary service.