For the third consecutive year, United Supermarkets and Rainier Fruits teamed up to donate socks to the Salvation Army of Odessa and the Salvation Army of Midland for its ‘Pears for Pairs’ initiative. On Thursday, 1,000 pairs of socks were split between Odessa and Midland.
The donation took place Thursday at United Supermarket located on West County Road. For each purchase of Rainier Fruits pears and apples during the fall and winter months, a portion of the proceeds went to purchasing socks to donate to organizations that support the homeless community.
“Today, we’re here to celebrate a wonderful occasion that we’ve had to prepare for with Rainier fruits,” Regional Produce Supervisor at United Supermarket Ricky Holman said. “Rainier Fruits and the United Family have paired together and a portion of all the proceeds that are earned through purchasing our gifts, purchasing our pears, apples and Rainier Fruits. A portion of that went back to purchasing socks and then we were able to team up with the Salvation Army and donate those socks back to the Salvation Army to help the homeless.”
The donation is part of a region wide effort from the United Family and Rainier Fruits. United Supermarkets across the state of Texas have donated socks to other local Salvation Armies. This year, a total of 5,000 pairs of socks will be donated to charitable organizations throughout Texas including the Salvation Army. “This is the third year that we’ve had the opportunity to team up with the Salvation Army and Rainier Fruits,” Holman said. “We’ve donated over 15,000 pairs of socks in those three years.”
Other organizations in the state that will receive socks, in addition to the Salvation Army of Odessa and the Salvation Army of Midland, include the Salvation Army in Amarillo, Lubbock and Abilene and Faith Mission of Wichita Falls. “It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Holman said. “Anyone can sell groceries. But we in the United Family pride ourselves on serving the communities and giving back to the communities that give to us. After all, that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to be a good community partner and be more than just a grocery store. It means a lot to us because it fits our culture.”
Salvation Army of Odessa Major Luis Melendez said he is excited for this partnership. “It’s community and it goes back locally,” Melendez said. “The homeless will get them and anyone who comes through our social services office and we know that it’s cold. We’re really pleased that this opportunity is available. There are many ways that the community can give and the local business. When homeless do get any item, a pair of socks, a glove, anything, they’re really excited and grateful and know that they can go the extra mile. This is going the extra mile for those in need.”
