BEND, OR -- Shepherd’s House Ministries is in desperate need of socks and underwear to be distributed to the homeless community. Director of Development Dave Notari tells KBND News around 400 people are served each month by the nonprofit's shower truck, "Our shower truck is in several places throughout the Bend area, including the Shepherd’s House Navigation Center, the men’s center on Division Street, and then the Methodist Church, downtown. We are in constant movement, trying to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness, providing a humanizing experience with a shower and with some supplies." Those supplies include critical clothing, "Invariably, they do receive a pair of socks and some undergarments during that visit."

Notari says Project S.H.A.R.E. hands out another 150 sets, "We go out to several locations around the community, kind of on the fringes where people are less apt to engage, and we build relationships with those people. And through that, we’re able to provide supplies."

It can be difficult for members of the homeless community to access clean undergarments as they navigate other daily needs. "It often isn’t coupled with services like, ‘hey, I can go pop my clothes in my washer and dryer; I can grab a new set of socks or underwear out of my drawer.’ Because that requires a lot of extra steps for them," says  Notari, "They have to find a laundromat, they have to get the coins for the laundromat, they have to wait in line, they might be trying to negotiate some work, some food. And these are all things I think are easily taken for granted."

Shepherd’s House is asking for donations of new socks and underwear; the biggest need is for boxer briefs, "It’s a real tangible, practical way for someone to give, and a very helpful way, without a lot of difficulty."

Donations can be dropped off at the Lighthouse Navigation Center on Second Street in Bend, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.