DRK sock campaign starts – social commitment rethought!”

DRK sock campaign starts – social commitment rethought!”

Next Monday, November 3rd, 2023, the German Red Cross (DRK) in Siegen-Wittgenstein will be launching a new initiative called “Your socks for social issues”. The campaign replaces the traditional fall clothing collection and is a direct response to declining donations and rising costs that have weighed on the annual collection. As the Siegerland newspaper reports that the last collection involved nearly 130 volunteers, but the volume donated is decreasing as citizens increasingly use the 400 clothing containers that are accessible year-round.

The change in concept aims to create a deeper connection through personal conversations with donors. The sock symbolizes all items of clothing that can be donated. “We want to learn more about the people who donate and how we can help them,” explains Dr. Martin Horchler, board member of the DRK district association. The campaign makes it clear that, beyond donations in kind, it is important to have an open ear for one another today.

Planned collection dates and offers

The first collection event will take place at the DRK advice center in Geisweid, where donors can bring their socks on November 3rd between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Additional collection dates will follow at various locations in the following days:

• DRK-Ortsverein Dreis-Tiefenbach: 5. November, 14.30 bis 17 Uhr, mit Waffeln und Kakao.
• DRK-Ortsverein Kaan-Marienborn: 7. November ab 17 Uhr, mit Getränken.
• DRK-Kleiderladen Siegen: 8. November, 10 bis 14 Uhr, mit Hotdogs und Rabattaktionen.
• DRK-Ortsverein Siegen-Nord: 8. November, 10 bis 13 Uhr, mit vegetarischer Kartoffelsuppe.
• Interkultureller Mehrgenerationen-Treffpunkt Bad Berleburg: 8. November, 10 bis 15 Uhr, Textilflohmarkt.
• DRK-Ortsverein Eiserfeld-Eisern: 8. November, 11 bis 14 Uhr, mit Waffeln und Kaffee.

The initiative comes at an opportune time, as the influence of the fast fashion industry is becoming increasingly noticeable. A look at the Facts shows that the throwaway mentality contributes massively to environmental pollution. About 92 million tons of textile waste are produced every year, and less than 1% of clothing purchased is recycled. The rapid production and low quality of the garments mean that many items quickly end up in the trash, exacerbating pre-existing social and environmental problems. These developments stand in stark contrast to the goals of the DRK, which strives to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged communities and provide sustainable solutions.

A look ahead

The DRK campaign “Your socks for social issues” is a step in the right direction to question excessive consumption and create valuable social contacts. The new strategy also brings the quality of donations to the fore. With a focus on personal interaction, the DRK also wants to address the change in the fashion industry and increase awareness of the challenges of fast fashion.

The problems associated with fast fashion are enormous: from precarious working conditions to 8-10% of global CO2 emissions. The DRK initiative is not only a response to current challenges, but also a call to consume more consciously and to donate clothing that really makes a difference.

In the context of resource use and the need to find thoughtful solutions to social and ecological problems, the DRK initiative is a welcome change in the often anonymous world of the textile trade. Through personal conversations and a strong network of volunteers, the opportunity is used to both strengthen contact with the community and to actively contribute to improving the social structure. An important commitment that can have not only local but also global impacts.