I was in DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) (https://www.dsw.com/) the other day and I spotted a huge pile of shoes towards the front of the store. I discovered that it is part of the DSW Gives program. DSW has an ongoing shoe collection program to benefit Soles 4 Souls. They collect new and gently-worn shoes and donate them to Soles4Souls (https://soles4souls.org). Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization that gives shoes to people in developing countries as well as people in our own country who are facing hardship. Domestically, shoes are directly donated to people who have been affected by adverse situations and who find themselves in need, thus giving everyone the chance at a decent life. Overseas, the shoes offer people the opportunity to go into business for themselves, supporting their families and communities. And, beyond that, donating new and gently-worn shoes to Soles4Souls benefits all of us. Keeping shoes out of our landfills spares us from the resulting carbon emissions.

Soles4Souls is a top-ranking charity. They turn clothing and shoes into opportunity, turning unwanted shoes and clothing by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use. 83,125,796 pairs of clothing have been saved from going to waste.

1.5 million children in the US are homeless and without a decent pair of shoes they feel inferior to their classmates, plus in wet and cold weather they lack protection for their feet. You can help by donating new and gently-worn shoes to a child experiencing homelessness. Kids who receive new shoes have more confidence, attend school on a more regular basis and are physically active. They also accept cash donations, both one-time and on a monthly basis. Every $20 monthly donation provides a new pair of athletic shoes to kids in need. Your less-than ideal shoes would be better donated to the For Days (https://fordays.com/pages/take-back-bag).

It’s always a good time to share.

Cindy

“Give what you have.  To someone it may be better than you dare to think.”                                              Henry Wadsworth Longfellow