What does it look like when members of a community work together to meet the needs of every person in it? Maybe it looks like a large-scale fundraising campaign to support public resources and programs, or it might be a group of volunteers who spend their weekends handing out canned goods at their local food bank. Sometimes, supporting the community is as simple as a good pair of sneakers and a clean pair of socks.

Every year, Dewald Funeral and Cremation Services partners with Solanco School District to organize a sneakers, socks and underwear drive to benefit local elementary school students. Through the end of November, the family-owned business will keep a drop-off box in the foyer of its building, located at 227 W. Fourth St., Quarryville. Donations of new socks and underwear and new or gently used sneakers may be dropped off weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during business hours.

Kara Miller, Dewald Funeral and Cremation Services' office manager, emphasized the need for shoes up to youth size five due to how quickly younger children outgrow them. "The need is greater than people realize," Kara said. "With the cost of everything rising, families are feeling the squeeze, and this is one way we can help them."

At the end of the drive, Dewald will distribute donations to all four elementary schools in Solanco School District. Each elementary school will use the donated items to restock its Swappe Shop, a free clothing resource available to students year-round. Guidance counselors regularly take inventory of specific items and sizes requested by students and include them in a newsletter to parents and local community members interested in making a donation. Last year, members of the community donated 259 pairs of sneakers, 667 pairs of socks and 286 pairs of underwear.

"Our community is super generous. You put the need out there, and they always come through," said Miller. "A lot of people just go to Good's Store in Quarryville and buy bags of stuff to drop off. It's a huge blessing."

Dewald held its first drive in 2020, after Little Britain Presbyterian Church cancelled its annual coat drive due to safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. The church resumed its coat drive in 2021, but Miller contacted local guidance counselors to ask if there were other specific needs in the community. Most elementary schools shared the consistent need for socks, underwear and sneakers because of how quickly students outgrow them or wear them out.

"A new pair of sneakers may not seem like a big deal to most of us," said Miller. "But for a child whose shoes are worn out or too small, having a good pair of sneakers can make a difference."

Dewald also served as a drop-off location for Solanco Coats For All, a communitywide coat drive held throughout the month of October. A free shopping event for families will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20, at Oak Hill Fellowship Church, 1 W. Fourth St., Quarryville.

For more information about the sneaker, socks and underwear drive, contact Miller at kara@dewalds.com.