- Launched a year ago, the sock brand Bonpied regularly distributes socks to charities.
- In order to increase its sales, and therefore its donations, it is launching a new range in recycled yarn.
One pair purchased, one pair offered. But not to anyone in the case of Bonpied. Created less than a year ago, this solidarity brand and "made in France" decided to provide socks to people on the street. This is the reason for this initiative, which just passed the milestone of 1,500 pairs distributed to homeless people a few days ago.
"I started doing marauding near my home, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, and I quickly noticed that there was a hole in the racket," says Sandrine Vergnory-Mion, 48, at project initiative and volunteer at Civil Protection. We offer food and clothing, but mainly large items such as sweaters or pants. However, socks are very important: to be warm of course but also for the health of the feet, which are the means of transport for these people, who travel a lot, sometimes 10 or 15 km per day. Problem: few individuals think of giving this kind of clothing, and associations do not necessarily have the funds to buy it.
Created in Nantes, made in Limousin
After thinking about various projects, this start-up consultant talks about her concept to Cathy and Dominique, a couple of Nantes textile designer friends. Packed, the three of them created the company and even exceeded their crowdfunding campaign launched on Ulule by 1,000 euros. A fourth person joins the team, there also on a voluntary basis.
From Nantes, several models are created and shipped (18 euros per pair), most of them colorful and patterned. There are also plain (gray and black), thicker and higher: these socks are distributed to the homeless, through associations, as the Restos du Coeur in Nantes have already done. , or Socks in stock in Lille. Sandrine Vergnory-Mion was also able to hand it over personally, during her raids. “The opportunity to have immediate feedback! "She smiles.
In addition to being united and made in France in Limousin, "benevolent socks" want to go further by launching a range made of yarn from the recycling of cotton and plastic bottles. "This time we are focusing on darker colors, more sober, to meet the needs of the entire market," explains the founder. Objective: accelerate the machine to reach the 10,000 pairs sold (and therefore the same number of pairs given) by the end of the year.
Our file Better living in the city
In the meantime, the company is trying to diversify its sources and is preparing to redistribute socks, labeled Kindy this time. She has convinced the manufacturer to sell her the first unsold stock (consisting of some 200 pairs) and hopes that other brands will respond to this call.
Nantes
Nantes: The Agnès-Varda area, equipment for the most disadvantaged, has opened its doors
Lille
Lille: An association helps the homeless by renting accommodation from individuals
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