Portland’s long, wet winters pose a particularly agonizing challenge for the 4,000 Portland-area men, women and children who are living on the streets. In an effort to combat the chronic pain and discomfort resulting from months of soggy, cold feet, Shoes.com is concluding a month-long Heart and Sole Shoe Drive with a giveback event in partnership with Portland Rescue Mission. On March 30, Shoes.com will distribute up to 800 pairs of lightly worn shoes collected during the drive along with 200 pairs of new shoes to people who are served by Portland Rescue Mission’s Burnside Shelter.
“People who struggle with homelessness spend most of the day in isolation outdoors and on their feet,” says Portland Rescue Mission’s guest care specialist Andrew Hall. “In addition to regularly providing relief through nutritious meals, shelter beds, washrooms and referral services, we are also pleased to help Shoes.com with this generous special distribution of footwear to people in need. We consider this project as another hope-giving effort that helps people move away from the street and move toward a better life.”
“Our mission at Shoes.com is to empower people every step of the way, and this includes helping local communities stay healthy and on their feet,” says Shoes.com‘s community manager, Tyrone Lingley. “Most of us take the shoes on our feet for granted, but we’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact a new pairs of shoes can have on someone’s quality of life. We’re grateful to be in Portland supporting this incredible community with something we believe everyone should have access to—shoes.”
The Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, in partnership with Shoes.com, the Portland Rescue Mission and several Portland-based organizations including Danner, Dr. Martens, Boggs, Wework and the Oregon Public House, have collected 1,000 pairs of shoes since March 1 with all donations going to Portland’s homeless residents. For more information on the Heart and Sole Shoe drive, and how to donate before March 31st, visit Shoes.com‘s Portland page.
