Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless is a nonprofit charity sock drive created by Janet and Edward Miller, parents of the inspiration, Benjamin Miller.
We collect and donate socks, in honor of Ben, to the local homeless shelter’s.
Ben was a big bear of a man with an even bigger, gentler heart. He loved to help out, although he never wanted recognition for it. His untimely death struck the family hard, but his mother and father quickly decided they needed to do something to honor him and help others at the same time.

Here’s how you can help:
- Donate socks using the bins at Schulte’s Fresh Foods in Jefferson City and the Grind Coffee Shop in California, Missouri. They accept new men’s, women’s, and children’s socks.
- Donate money, of which 100 percent will go toward buying socks. Mail checks to the address below. Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless has recently became a Missouri nonprofit corporation and received tax-exempt status as a charitable organization as well, giving an added benefit to helping out the cause.
- If you own a business, allow a collection bin. Contact the Millers on their Facebook page.
- You can also show your support by liking the organization’s Facebook page and checking out any upcoming fundraisers, such as benefit dinners or T-shirt sales.
Donation Address: PO Box 291, California, MO 65018
Pairs Donated So Far: 14594
*Count does not include personal donations unreported

Memorial Gifts
ROWDY (HAROLD) AND JULIA REMPFER
GUS AND MARY NOLKER
LARRY HENKE
In the News
Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless • Missouri Life …
Nov 28, 2020 — It didn’t take them long to come up with the idea for Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless, a charity sock drive in Ben’s memory.
Family uses loss to help homeless, in memory of son
Nov 29, 2020 — The non-profit organization hopes to collect 5,000 pairs of socks to deliver to mid-Missouri homeless shelters next month.
Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless collects more than 4,500 pairs
This year, the nonprofit – now in its third year – set a goal of collecting 5,000 pairs of socks to donate to area homeless shelters. With the coronavirus …
Brand new socks bring special feeling for ‘Gentle Ben’s’ family
Oct 28, 2019 — Organizers created Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless in memory of Benjamin “Ben” Miller, a bear of a man who died at age 34 in 2017.
Couple donating 3,000 socks for the mid-Missouri homeless
Dec 24, 2019 — The Columbia Missourian reports that Janet and Edward Miller of California, Missouri, started Gentle Ben’s Socks for the Homeless in memory …


