UA Little Rock students launch drive for socks, soap for homeless

Students in the School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have opened a collection drive for hygiene products and everyday essentials to support people experiencing homelessness in Pulaski County. The effort, known as Bags of Hope, runs through Nov. 18 and targets items that are often overlooked during seasonal giving, such as socks, gloves, and bar soap.

The drive was organized by social work students Ahmed Alnomani, Leah Beaumont, Jasmine Kearney, and Trinity Louden. They are working with The Van, a local nonprofit that serves individuals experiencing homelessness. Grace Maddox, a student interning with The Van, is also helping coordinate the initiative. Alnomani noted that winter often causes donors to forget basic hygiene needs. He said a dry pair of socks can make a real difference in someone's day.

Louden emphasized that the drive is meant to recognize the dignity of those in crisis. She said she entered social work because she believes everyone deserves to be seen and cared for. She described the drive as a reminder that people struggling in public deserve the same care and dignity as loved ones.

Maddox has used her internship to help with outreach, sort donations, and prepare supplies for distribution. She said she learned that building relationships with clients is more important than just providing supplies. She added that meeting people where they are is a key lesson from her time with the organization.

The most needed items include socks, gloves, underwear, bar soap, menstrual products, and Neosporin. Other requested items are hand warmers, oral hygiene products, hair care items, deodorant, lotion, lip balm, wet wipes, bandages, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, flashlights, sunscreen, and batteries.

Donations can be dropped off at three campus locations: the School of Social Work on the fourth floor of Ross Hall, the main lobby of Ottenheimer Library, and the main lobby of the School of Nursing. Additional donation boxes are located at local businesses in Little Rock and Bryant. The university provided a link page for community drop-off locations and an Amazon wish list for purchasing specific items.

Kearney said the drive offers a chance for the community to come together and provide resources to individuals who deserve compassion and dignity. The drive will accept donations through Nov. 18. People with questions can email the student organizers, and more information about The Van is available at itsthevan.org.