Bombas is a comfort-focused, digitally native brand that provides elevated basics and helps those in need. The company was originally founded in 2013 because socks are the #1 most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. Working closely with Giving Partners and the community, they engineered products that specifically meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. The socks are made in darker colors to show less visible wear, have reinforced stitching for durability as well as an antimicrobial treatment to extend wearability between washes.

CSL was accepted as a Bombas Socks distribution partner in early fall 2017. Through Bombas’ “buy one, give one” business model, CSL received its first donation of 1,000 pairs of socks in October 2017. We distributed those socks primarily through CSL’s annual Christmas Store.

In July 2018, CSL received 5,000 pairs of socks for our Back to School and Christmas events. Things changed significantly in 2019 when we received 200,000 pairs of socks, which required moving storage and distribution to a warehouse donated by the Independence School District. We identified more than 100 distribution partners in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas who distributed the socks to people in need.

When CSL received 500,000 pairs of socks in 2020, we amplified our outreach, hosting monthly/bi-monthly distribution programs for partner agencies. Partners placed their orders online with a scheduled pick-up time.

Fall 2021 brought word from Bombas that CSL would be receiving 1.5 million pairs of Bombas for our area. We took possession in late August/early September 2022 of what ended up being 6,800 boxes of socks (250 pairs per box), for a total of 1.7 million Bombas socks. As with past years, we look forward to supporting the work of nearby organizations by sharing socks with those who provide them to individuals and families who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.

Fall 2023 brought word from Bombas again that CSL would be receiving another shipment for 200,000 pairs of Bombas socks!

Some of our areas of focus were:

  • Veteran organizations

  • Youth sports leagues/programs

  • Physical fitness programs

  • After-school programs

  • Seasonal/holiday events

  • Back to School events

  • Food pantries/hot meal programs

  • Public, private, and charter schools

  • Homeless street outreach

  • Shelters/residential facilities

  • Pre-K/early learning programs

Help CSL Distribute
Bombas Socks Across our Region!

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