Balega International, a leading sock brand in the run specialty market, is partnering with New England-area run specialty retailer, Marathon Sports, to support essential workers in New England area food banks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Balega and Marathon Sports will donate and distribute a total of 1,000 pairs of socks to the New Hampshire Food Bank, The Greater Boston Food Bank and the Connecticut Food Bank in appreciation of the critical work their employees and volunteers are doing.
The Balega community has always been driven by kindness and compassion and views Ubuntu – the Zulu word for “shared humanity” or “I am because we are” – as a calling. During this challenging time, Balega looks to continue to share that message as it is now more important than ever. The sock donation to the New England-area food banks is made possible by the Lesedi Project, Balega’s non-profit organization and give-back initiative to strengthen South African and American communities.
“One of Balega’s founding principles has always been about caring for the community. We want to say thank you and show our appreciation of the important work these food bank employees and volunteers are doing in their respective communities during this extremely challenging time,” said Tanya Pictor, VP of Balega Marketing. “We are always looking for ways to spread the message of ‘shared humanity’ and to inspire others to do the same.”
“Marathon Sports is centered in community, and we have been since our inception more than 40 years ago,” said Colin Peddie, President of Marathon Sports. “Our local communities have been impacted and it’s apparent that so many people are in need beyond the frontline workers and those who are ill. We are humbled by and grateful for the numerous volunteers who devote their time every day to making sure that our community doesn’t go hungry.”
To learn more about the food banks and find out how to help, visit the Ways To Give webpages of the Connecticut Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank and the New Hampshire Food Bank. For more information about Balega’s Lesedi project and other give-back initiatives, visit https://balega-socks.implus.com/giving-back. For more information about Marathon Sports, visit https://www.marathonsports.com/.
About Balega International
A leading performance sock brand in the run specialty market, Balega is a designer and manufacturer of technical performance socks and part of the Implus family of brands. With a proud American-South African initiative, the company develops its product in both South Africa and North Carolina production facilities utilizing the best performance yarns produced in the United States. Crafted for a superior fit and unmatched comfort, Balega is committed to the technical excellence, quality, and performance expected in the Balega brand. A brand with ‘sole,’ Balega prides itself on its commitment to the community with projects aimed at enriching those less fortunate than ourselves. For more information, please visit www.balega.com.
About Implus
Implus is home to more than 20 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and medical categories. As an industry leader in consumer packaged goods, Implus is committed to enhancing healthy and active lifestyles, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices and four domestic satellite offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Sof Sole®, Balega®, Yaktrax®, SKLZ®, TriggerPoint™, RockTape® and Spenco®. To learn more, please visit www.Implus.com.
About Marathon Sports
Founded in 1975 in a renovated first-floor apartment near Harvard Square in Boston, Marathon Sports has grown to 11 retail locations, bringing their unparalleled customer experience to runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts across Massachusetts. In 2013 Marathon Sports added the soundRUNNER brand to their family of run specialty stores, gaining a valued partner in Connecticut. soundRUNNER operates four locations – Branford, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Old Saybrook. In 2015, Marathon Sports welcomed Runner’s Alley’s three stores in New Hampshire – Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth – into the fold. For more information, please visit https://www.marathonsports.com/.
