Clean new socks sought for Edmonton's homeless

Boyle Street Community Services is asking the public to donate socks to protect homeless people from infections so severe they can lead to amputations.

Dr.FrancescoMosaicowith the BoyleMcCauleyHealth Centre says foot problems are a major issue for the citys homeless population.

Some people keep wearing the same pair of socks, day in and day out. Some wear shoes without socks, whichMosaicosays makes sore feet worse.

You know they just rub on the wrong parts of your feet, you get ulcers ...and that can lead to ulceration and skin breakdown, he said.

Mosaicosays complications frominfections lead to foot amputations every year.

Thats why Boyle Street Community Services is asking the public for donations of brand new, clean socks.

Outreach workerAidanInglissays some homeless people live outside all year round. If they dont have a clean, dry pair of socks, they never take their shoes and socks off, which means they may not be aware of trouble until its too late.

Inglisrecalls one man who had developed such severe frostbite thathe lost part of his leg.

He didnt even realize how bad it was. It wasnt until our team was able to get a look at his skin and identify that we needed to take him to the hospital right away.

Socks can be donated at theBoyle Street Community Services building at10116105thAvenue.

People can also drop off never-worn, newsocks at CBC in Edmonton City Centre Mall east starting Friday morning.Socks can be donated during regular mall business hours until 6 p.m. Monday.