"Our community only continues to improve when organizations and individuals identify a need or gap in services and works with others to come up with an effective solution for addressing the need," said Martha Ahrendt, Vice President of Programs for the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. "A Pair and A Spare is a grassroots effort working with the Brown County Housing and Homeless Coalition that is fulfilling an important need in the community. We are glad to support them in their efforts."

A 2008 needs assessment conducted by an area social worker found it would take approximately 80,000 pairs of socks and new underwear to provide everyone in need in Brown County with several pairs of socks and underwear. Although bras, socks and underwear are the most requested items at thrift stores, shelters and by clients of organizations working with low-income populations, they are generally not available because very few used socks are donated and almost no one donates used underwear. From that notion, A Pair and A Spare was created.

The program is an annual collection of new socks and underwear which are distributed free of charge to agencies and those in need. Since its inception in 2008, A Pair and A Spare has provided those essential garments to 29 agencies, which in turn distribute the items to people. The community foundation's grant made possible the purchase of new items that are sparsely donated. Purchases included:

Thanks in part to the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation's generous donation, A Pair and A Spare surpassed its goal of collecting 25,000 items in 2009; over 48,000 items total were donated. The goal for 2010 is to match and exceed that number. Green Bay will continue to support A Pair and A Spare in an effort to reach that goal. The third annual collection for A Pair and A Spare will run from September 7 -29, 2010.