Got Shoes?
Have you got a crowded parking area for all the shoes you have in your closet? Maybe you’re not wearing so many dress shoes, opting more for sneakers, or even slippers? Here’s a way that you can unburden your crowded closet AND help someone at the same time. It’s an organization called Soles4Souls.
According to the EPA, on average, Americans throw away 70 pounds of textiles (shoes and clothing) per person, per year. That adds up to 21 billion pounds of unnecessary waste added to our landfills. The EPA estimates that only 15% of clothing and footwear in the U.S., is recycled, leaving the remaining 85% in our landfills. By putting no longer needed shoes and clothing to good use, textiles are kept out of landfills.
At Soles4Souls, they turn unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use, providing relief, creating jobs, and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. They also accept donations of clothing at some locations.
Something as simple as a pair of shoes can make a big difference. 
It can give comfort to a child wearing ill-fitting shoes, and confidence to a person looking for work. Doesn’t that make you want to head to the back of the closet and have a good clean out?
Soles4Soules has two warehouses and over twenty outdoor bin drop-off points throughout the state. You can find the one nearest you by clicking on the link, entering your zip code, and selecting either 15+ pairs of shoes or clothing (these two options will populate all the recommended options). Choose the option that works best for you!
If you want to help more, consider hosting a shoe/clothing drive at your school, church, or neighborhood. Or you can volunteer in other ways. Just reach out to [email protected] to inquire.