California's Nonprofit Milk Bank Invites the Public to Design Its Next Signature Sock

"Sock It Forward" Contest Celebrates Creativity, Community, and Healthier Beginnings for Babies

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What if a simple pair of socks could help change the conversation about babies in need?

That's the idea behind Sock It Forward, a new statewide design contest launched by Mothers' Milk Bank California inviting artists, students, parents, healthcare professionals, and creative thinkers to design the Official 2026 Mothers' Milk Bank California Sock.

The winning design will be transformed into a limited-edition sock worn by supporters throughout California—turning everyday conversations into opportunities to raise awareness about the lifesaving impact of donor human milk for premature and medically fragile babies.

"Awareness begins with conversation," said Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, President and CEO of Mothers' Milk Bank California. "Every time someone asks, 'Where did you get those socks?' it creates an opportunity to share our mission and the incredible generosity of milk donors. That's the heart of Sock It Forward—using creativity to inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and help more babies receive the healthiest possible start in life."

Founded in 1974, Mothers' Milk Bank California has spent more than five decades providing safe, pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families when a mother's own milk is unavailable. Today, the nonprofit partners with hospitals throughout California and beyond to help ensure vulnerable infants receive the nutrition they need during their earliest days of life.

The Sock It Forward contest is designed to engage the broader community in that mission while celebrating creativity, compassion, and connection.

Contest Details

Contest Opens: September 9, 2026

Submission Deadline: October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT

Winner Announced: October 23, 2026

The contest is free to enter and open to creative individuals of all experience levels. Professional artists are welcome, but no design experience is required.

Participants are encouraged to create original artwork inspired by themes such as kindness, hope, California, community, generosity, and healthier beginnings.

Grand Prize

The winning designer won't just create a sock—they'll help tell the story of California's nonprofit milk bank.

The Grand Prize includes:

• Lifetime bragging rights as the creator of the Official 2026 Mothers' Milk Bank California Sock
• A limited production run of socks featuring the winning design
• Recognition as the Official 2026 Mothers' Milk Bank California Sock Designer
• A feature on Mothers' Milk Bank California's website and social media channels
• Recognition in a statewide press release
• A commemorative certificate
• Exclusive Mothers' Milk Bank California merchandise
  
  

Most importantly, the winning design will become a wearable symbol of generosity, helping introduce more people to the lifesaving impact of donor human milk.

Complete contest details, official rules, and entry information are available at:

MothersMilk.org/SockItForward

About Mothers' Milk Bank California

Founded in 1974, Mothers' Milk Bank California is California's nonprofit milk bank and a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). The organization collects, screens, pasteurizes, and distributes donor human milk to hospitals and families, helping provide lifesaving nutrition to premature and medically fragile infants when a mother's own milk is unavailable.

Through education, advocacy, and community partnerships, Mothers' Milk Bank California is committed to giving every baby the healthiest possible start in life.

Media Contact: Cheryl Reiss | news@MothersMilk.org | 415-640-5431