CHESTERTOWN, MD— The third year of the Toes & Tushies drive, which collects newly purchased socks and underwear for needy schoolchildren in Kent and other Eastern Shore counties, gets underway Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Organized by Washington College First Lady Elisabeth Reiss, the month-long drive passes the clothing donations on to local schools and to Saint Martin’s Ministries, a nonprofit that helps low-income families in five Eastern Shore counties, for distribution to the children who need them.

Through September 30, donors can leave their items, in sizes 3T to 16, in specially marked laundry baskets placed inside Play It Again Sam coffee cafe, 108 Cross Street in Chestertown; Durding’s Store and Ice Cream Parlor, corner of Main and Sharp streets, Rock Hall; and Hodson Hall Commons on the Washington College campus.

The Toes & Tushies campaign fills a gap left by regular clothing drives and consignment shops, which are not allowed to give away or sell used undergarments.  “A child may be well dressed on the outside, but have a great need for a fresh pair of undies or socks,” says Reiss.  

For more information, email Elisabeth Reiss at ereiss2@washcoll.edu.