Helping the homeless to battle the bitter temperatures of winter, the Women of Spirit group of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and Hamilton Council Knights of Columbus have two events planned.

With proceeds benefitting The Joy of Sox, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit, “Mardi Gras: The Feast Before the Fast” will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 23 in the parish center. The evening includes Cajun-inspired and traditional cuisine of hors d’oeuvres, beverages and desserts.

Sharon Zubricky, St. Gregory the Great’s Women of Spirit ministry member, noted that the parish will also collect monetary donations for The Joy of Sox the weekend of Feb. 9-10 following all Masses. New Jersey has designated Feb. 14 as Socks for the Homeless Day.

“The money collected as well as the proceeds from our Feb. 23 Mardi Gras will be donated to the organization to supply new socks to the homeless in our area,” Zubricky confirmed. “Last year … we presented each person in attendance at our Loaves and Fishes event at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, with a pair of socks as they left that day.” St. Gregory the Great Parish intends to do the same on Memorial Day weekend this year.

The Joy of Sox was founded by Tom Costello and has been providing new socks to the homeless since 2010. In May 2018, the Women of Spirit and Knights of Columbus groups were able to present a $4,000 donation to Costello for The Joy of Sox – proceeds garnered from their Sock Hop event and parishioner donations in February 2018. The donation allowed The Joy of Sox an immediate ability to obtain and deliver new socks to those experiencing homelessness, beginning with the shelters in the Trenton area.

The Mardi Gras evening is $25 per person, and dress is business casual; ages 21 and up only, BYO wine and beer. Music will be provided by Sargent DJ Entertainment.

For reservations, contact Alyce or Dan Rossi, 609-582-8725 or [email protected] by Feb. 3. No sales at the door. Snow date is March 2.