I wanted to write this Feeture about an amazing organization called Soles4Souls. Set up in 2004 Soles4Souls is a global not for profit organization that is dedicated to fighting poverty. What they do is collect new and used shoes and clothes then distribute them to people in need in the US and across the globe.
Soles4Soles have forged relationships with some of the world’s leading apparel brands and receive shoe and apparel supplies from stock that cannot be sold. They also receive millions of pairs of shoes and a ton of clothing from individuals, companies, and organizations.
But what is so amazing is that what Soles4Souls does is not just some shoe giveaway as whilst most new items are given directly to those in need the used items are sorted and sold to carefully selected micro-enterprise organizations. These in turn provide shipping, financing, inventory, training and other support to ultra-small businesses in countries such as Haiti where there are virtually no jobs to generate personal income.
Through the collection and sale of used (and new) clothing and shoes, Soles4Souls helps create self-sustaining jobs that generate desperately needed revenues throughout those communities where jobs just simply do not exist. They give poverty stricken communities across the world a way to elevate themselves out of that poverty and that is simply amazing. It is NOT just the distribution of shoes and clothing to those that desperately need them but a way people across the globe can feel empowered by working to support themselves and their families and work towards finding a way out of the poverty that keeps so many people and communities trapped.
So what about all those beaten down shoes and sneaks or some of those new pairs that are too big or too small and you might never wear? Send them on to Soles4Souls and use your shoes to make a difference. You can even organize a shoe drive or actually get involved in the distribution of the shoes. Go to the Soles 4 Soles website and check it out. I am so glad I stumbled upon these guys and I’m definitely gonna get involved in some way.
Check out the video below:
The Word on the Feet 