Do you have pairs of shoes sitting around the house that you never wear anymore?
Staff at Sneakers Plus has organized a way for folks to drop off unused pairs of shoes for donation to those in need or for recycle.
Organizations set to benefit from the campaign include Environmental 360 Solutions, Superfluity, The Mustard Seed in Red Deer and Soles4Souls depending on how much is ultimately donated.
Clearly, a decent and comfortable pair of shoes, often taken very much for granted, can make a world of difference in a person’s life.
For example, since Soles4Souls began in 2006, they’ve distributed more than 35 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries.
Soles4Souls’s mission is also to create sustainable jobs and provide relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world.
As the web site points out, “Your new and gently-worn shoes help individuals start and sustain small businesses to lift themselves out of poverty. Donated shoes are a viable resource to help entrepreneurs provide crucial necessities for their families.”
The Shoe Drive runs through to the end of April, and shoes of any style, condition or size can be dropped off at the Stettler Recreation Centre and Sneakers Plus.
According to Cindy Campbell, the owner of Sneakers Plus, some 300 million pairs of shoes end up in landfills each year.
Campbell said it’s something she’s considered for awhile, and now she hopes to see the shoe drive become an annual event.
“I thought, this year we will see how it goes and then maybe we could make it an annual thing,” she said. “It also goes along with the idea of spring cleaning,” she added with a smile.
Local youngsters are getting in on the giving as well.
“I’ve also heard back from Christ-King Catholic School, so they are onboard with doing this as well. And then the Stettler Elementary School, through their CARS Program, is also involved as is Delia School as well.”
For more information, give Cindy Campbell a call at 403-742-0258.