The idea was to send help around the world, but the organizer changed her mind after seeing the need right here in the Metro.
It's a program meant to send shoes to people who need them most. Pairs have been sent to tsunami victims, hurricane victims and now they'll be used by folks in the Metro of Kansas City.
The owner of Hathaway Shoe, Jill Hathaway, knows shoes. She also knows the perfect pair is an unreachable luxury for some so she asked customers to donate gently used shoes to Soles4Souls.
"Customers are bringing in bags and bags and boxes and boxes, which is exciting for this whole program," Hathaway said.
Hathaway received about 2,000 pairs of gym shoes, boots, sandals. Originally, Hathaway thought Soles4Souls would help children around the world. That is, until she got a call from her own backyard.
"We have children here with very little. Literally, just the clothes off their backs," stated Rachel Larsen with Marillac.
Little feet needed big help at Marillac, a kids' psychiatric treatment center. Larsen called Hathaway looking for a donation of shoes without laces. Boxes of shoes are now coming into Marillac.
"We try as much as possible to keep things out of the facility that may harm the children or that they may use to harm themselves," Larsen said. "Donations are really what make Marillac run."
"I said, 'Gosh, could we be part of that,' because our clients obviously need a lot of things," Leslie Caplan with New House said. Directors at New House are picking up donations now too. 100 pairs of new shoes are helping women escaping abuse take a step in the right direction.
"They need to dress for success and have esteem. A new pair of shoes would do that. Does it for me," Caplan said with a laugh.
Soles4Souls runs through the weekend at Hathaway Shoes. Bring in a pair of gently used shoes and Hathaway will take a percentage off your purchase.
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