A special initiative is back this holiday season to help out men who are living alone.

The Lonely Man Project was founded by Leanne Jeffrey’s husband Bill, several years ago following his own troubles with mental health to help other men who may be reluctant to come forward.

Seven years ago, they started filling up Christmas stockings for men who need them over the holidays, and hand-delivering them on Christmas Eve.

The initiative, known as the Lonely Man Stocking, has now grown in terms of both the number of people being nominated to receive a stocking, and the people who want to volunteer and help out.

Jeffrey calls loneliness an “epidemic,” noting that she has seen some emotional responses from the people who they have helped out.

She says one man they delivered a stocking to shed tears because “someone had thought of him.” She recalls going to another man’s house; there were no decertations up or lights on, and he thought they had gone to the wrong house. Jeffrey says that person “fully felt alone” and was very emotional and thankful for the gesture.