A Day of no footwear shows plight of shoeless people

Here is an article written by Carla Hinton of the NewsOK, the daily newspaper serving Oklahoma City. Carla was brave enough to go barefoot for a day during Barefoot Week. Here is her story:


There are some folks who can’t wait to go barefoot.

They come home from a hard day at work, slip off their shoes and let their feet enjoy some freedom.

Others like walking along the beach, the sand crunching underneath their toes, warm sunshine leaving their feet with a pleasant tingling.

I am not one of those people.

So when the charity Soles4Souls issued a challenge to the media to go barefoot, I immediately jumped at the chance to do something different.

I knew it would be a challenge for me in more ways than one because I just don’t like walking around in my bare feet. I have probably spent a mint on socks over the years. My kids, whose feet are larger than mine, hide their socks from me.

No one’s socks are sacred.

By going barefoot Tuesday, I joined several celebrities and others who participated in Soles4Souls’ second annual Barefoot Week.

Soles4Souls is a nonproft organization trying to put pairs of shoes on the feet of the shoeless across the country and the world.

Wayne Esley, the organization’s CEO and founder, said he wanted Barefoot Week to be about experience, more than awareness.

"Everybody can get plugged in. I want you to be able to experience it,” he said during a telephone interview.

The highlights of my barefoot day were riding in the elevator with people who were trying their best not to get caught staring at my feet.

I smiled and started to give an explanation, but the elevator ride just went too quickly and folks seemed in a hurry.

Maybe I was paranoid, but it’s not every day that you see anyone walking around barefoot in our office building.

It rained that day, so I got to experience walking on wet pavement and grass. That was just plain nasty.

An hour later, the rain had stopped (ahh, that Oklahoma weather) and I remembered how hot concrete can be when the sun is beaming on it.

I had to watch for broken glass and other objects as I walked in parking lots. There are a lot of unusually shaped — and hard — rocks out there. I know because I walked on lots of them.

Picking my daughter up from a local gym, I heard a little boy whisper to his mother, "She doesn’t have on any shoes,” as they passed me on the sidewalk.

I felt the heat of shame wash over me. Then I remembered that I had plenty of shoes to wear at home. I thought about all the people whose lack of a decent pair of shoes is not by choice.

Esley said he hopes that going barefoot will encourage some people to be more empathetic to those who are shoeless because they don’t have the resources to get any. He wants people to clean out their closets and donate their "gently worn” shoes or even buy a new pair to donate to Soles4Souls.

The shoe donations can be taken to Finish Line athletic retail stores for a $5 coupon for a new pair of shoes for the donor.

As part of the special week, Soles4Souls worked to distribute 50,000 pairs of new shoes to local nonprofits such as homeless shelters, missions and children’s service organizations in Indianapolis; Atlanta; Birmingham, AL; and Portland, OR. A midnight giveaway is one of two planned events today in Los Angeles.

Esley said Soles4Souls estimates that there are 1.5 billion shoes that no one wears sitting in America’s closets.

"I bet Carla has a pair of shoes like that in her closet,” Esley said.

Yes, indeed.

Free Shoes of Hope in Atlanta

City of Refuge in Atlanta, in partnership with Soles4Souls, is giving out over 10,000 pairs of new shoes for their friends in the community. In the coming months, City of Refuge will mobilize volunteers to distribute all of the shoes into the neighborhoods in the surrounding areas.

Yesterday, at 10:00 AM people started to line up, waiting for a free pair of shoes. Workers and volunteers handed out hundreds of new shoes to those in need.

"Yes, it's just a pair of shoes, but behind that is a little bit of hope," said Steve Grimes of City of Refuge.

Seven years ago, when Grimes started working for the non-profit group City of Refuge, a homeless man asked him for a pair of shoes.

"He looked terrible," Grimes remembers. "And he said, 'Can you help me with a pair of shoes?' And I took my shoes off and gave them to him."

Now, he helps sort through 10,000 pair. The boxes are piled around him, waiting for delivery.

"The people who come here, we'll give them a new pair of shoes and ask them to donate their old shoes which will be recycled."

Soles4Souls made the delivery to the epicenter of poverty where City of refuge is located. The neighborhood along Joseph E. Boone has the city's highest violent crime rate, twice the national average of new HIV cases, and the highest number of parolees in any zip code in Georgia.

Executive Director, Bruce Deel, says the space was donated. The brick buildings are filled with volunteers and service centers, including a kitchen that trains young people to cook.

"It happens to be in one of the toughest neighborhoods not just in our city, but statistically, in the state of Georgia. We think that's providential that we're located right in the heart of a lot of need," Deel says.

The City of Refuge has seen a steady increase in those looking for help in the last year. They help families in times of crisis with food, clothing, shelter, and job training. As the unemployment rate rises in Georgia, more people are asking for help.

Together, the small group of volunteers wipes away sweat as they sort through the boxes that hold more than shoes.

"These shoes give somebody a little bit of hope," Grimes says. "It's all those little things we do that have a cumulative effect on people's lives."

Scarlett Johansson Proves she is "Soleless"

Scarlett Johansson is barefoot and proud as she helps promote Soles4Souls' Second Annual Barefoot Week.

During Barefoot Week, Soles4Souls will be collecting gently worn shoes and distributing thousands of pairs of new shoes right here in the old USA.

Johnasson has already donated 2000 pairs of shows from her Reebok line and is encouraging everyone to get involved.

If you can’t dig deep in your pockets, than dig in your closet!“ said Johansson. “Americans can make a huge difference with Soles4Souls by donating shoes. Souls4Soles gives away a pair of shoes every 13 seconds in over 125 countries, with over 55 percent donated to fellow Americans.”

Shoe Giveaway in Indianapolis Benefits Hundreds

The line started forming two hours before a shoe giveaway began Monday at Wheeler Mission and eventually wrapped around the block.

For their wait, the hundreds of people received a free pair of dress or tennis shoes and a pair of flip-flops.

The giveaway kicked off the second annual National Barefoot Week from Soles4souls. Finish Line is working with Soles4Souls and service organizations in five cities this week to give away a total of 50,000 pairs of shoes. Free shoes also will be doled out in Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Los Angeles; and Portland, Ore.

Steve Kerr, chief development officer at Wheeler, said the mission was on target to give away 1,200 pairs of shoes Monday. The remaining shoes, about 9,000 pairs, will be donated to local service agencies.

Despite the long wait, a homeless Andrew King, Indianapolis, was looking forward to replacing his old shoes.

"My shoes are falling apart," King said. "I think it's really nice that they're doing this. Old shoes smell, and it makes you self-conscious when you're looking for a job."

Happy Barefoot Week!

As many of you know, today is the beginning our 2nd annual Barefoot Week!

All week long - churches, businesses, schools and the general public will host hundreds of concurrent shoe drives, fun runs & walkathons, retail trade-in events, concerts, festivals and more. Whether you volunteer your time, donate shoes/funds or receive a pair of shoes yourself, Barefoot Week will sure to be making a positive impact in thousands of lives.

Various celebrities are lending their support to Barefoot Week in hopes of encouraging more participation. Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Simpson, Randy Jackson, Zach Braff, Kellie Pickler, Tim Gunn, Antawn Jamison, Nick Lachey, Lance Bass, Riddick Bowe, Luke Perry, Amy Grant, and Chris Hope (among many other celebrities) are all supporting Soles4Souls this week.

We hope to see you at one of the many events around the country! For more information or to find an event near you, click here.

Join Kellie Pickler in Support of Barefoot Week

Former American Idol star Kellie Pickler is asking for your support at the 2009 Barefoot Week, held during the first week of June.

“I am thrilled to support Soles4Souls and the 2009 Barefoot Week in order to help spread their mission to "change the world one pair at a time”. Their commitment is inspiring and I hope that thousands of people join me in support of the fantastic work they are doing across America,” said Kellie.

Kellie has won three Country Music Television Awards for her single 'I Wonder' and two awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. To learn more about Kellie and her music, visit http://www.kelliepickler.com/.

To learn more about Barefoot Week and how you can participate, click here.

Running Fit Running Drive (co-sponsored by Enspire Dental)

Running Fit will be hosting a shoe drive for the entire month of June to donate to Soles4Souls for distribution. Customers who bring in gently used shoes to any of Running Fit's seven southeast Michigan locations will receive a discount on their next purchase.

"According to the World Health Organization, wearing shoes help prevent hookworm, a parasite that enters the body through the foot," said Brad Stulberg, a recent University of Michigan graduate that is helping to put on the drive. "Hookworm afflicts more than 740 million people in developing countries around the world."

Enspire Dental, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is also co-sponsoring the drive.

Jane Banaszak-Holl, a professor of organizational studies at University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts, calculated that each pair donated saves $733 in health care, productivity and education costs.

For more information, visit http://www.runningfit.com/.

Soles4Souls and Finish Line begin "Sole Destination"

Soles4Souls began their partnership with Finish Line, Inc. this week and launched a national shoe trade-in program at all 700 Finish Line store locations. The donation program, "Sole Destination," began yesterday, June 1st and will end on July 31st, 2008. It is part of many events for National Barefoot Week to be held June 1-7, 2008.

"During this week, we hope to draw attention to the over 300 million children worldwide who have never owned a pair of shoes, while also empowering people to make a difference by cleaning out their closet and donating shoes," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "We are thrilled that Finish Line has graciously agreed to partner with us. The shoes donated by their customers will make a huge impact on the lives of thousands of people in desperate need."

"As an athletic footwear retailer, this is an exciting opportunity to serve those in our community and beyond through Sole Destination," said Derrick Walker, Finish Line Vice President of Marketing. "With this program, our customers have an easy and convenient way to give their shoes a second life."

During "National Barefoot Week", there will distribution events, walkathons, marathons, benefits, and retail trade-in events across the country scheduled for the rest of the week. It will be held each year during the first week of June.

Thousands of churches, civic groups and retailers will act as collection points in the weeks prior to and during Barefoot Week.

To help right now, please go to your local Finish Line store, June 1-July 31, 2008 and donate a pair of new or used shoes and receive $5 off the purchase of a new pair of shoes valued at $25 or more. Offer valid same day only. Some restrictions apply.

Please visit http://www.giveshoes.org/ for trade rules and store locations near you.

About Finish Line
The Finish Line, Inc. is one of the largest mall-based specialty retailers operating under the Finish Line and Man Alive brand names. The Finish Line, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FINL. The Company currently operates 700 Finish Line stores in 47 states and online and 94 Man Alive stores in 19 states and online.

Church in Indiana to 'Step Up'

A shoe drive will be take place June 1st at Cross Lane Community Church in Terre Haute, to benefit Soles4Souls. The church is located at 2204 Lafayette Ave and they will be receiving shoes from 9 AM until 1 PM. Cross Lane will be joining many other churches and businesses across the U.S. on "National Barefoot Day."

"National Barefoot Day" is June 1st and is the kickoff to a week long event with various activities scheduled around the country, which will be known as Barefoot Week. There will be shoe drives, fun runs and walkathons, golf tournaments, retail trade-in events, parties and more. All participants are encouraged to donate at least one pair of new or gently worn shoes.

“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” CEO and founder Wayne Elsey said. “We need our partners in North America to ‘STEP UP’ and get behind our call for action. It’s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in most difficult of times,” he said.

In addition, other people, churches, schools and companies interested in donating to the effort can visit www.giveshoes.org and follow the instructions.

Albertsons Announces Shoe Drive

Albertsons, the popular national grocery chain, has announced that they will be hosting a shoe drive at all San Diego, CA area locations. Residents are asked to clean out their closets and recycle their gently worn shoes.

"Albertsons is passionately committed to serving our neighbors in need," said Charla Giles, area vice president, San Diego. "We are partnering with Soles4Souls for the third year in a row to enable our customers to get into the spirit of giving back to those less fortunate."

The drive will start June 1st and last through the 7th. Shoes can be dropped off at the Albertsons stores in the cities of San Diego and San Diego County, Ramona, Fallbrook, Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Ellsinore, Corona, Sun City and Hemet.

Soles4Souls to Partner with K.I.D.S.

Soles4Souls has announced that they will be partnering with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to distribute 325,000 pairs of new shoes in five American cities during National Barefoot Week. Soles4Souls has planed a series of nationwide events to be held June 1-7, 2008.

"National Barefoot Day" will take place on Sunday, June 1, with distribution events, walkathons, marathons, benefits, and retail trade-in events across the country. Each year, Barefoot Week will be held during the first week of June. Thousands of churches, civic groups and retailers will act as collection points in the weeks prior to and during Barefoot Week.

"During Barefoot Week we hope to draw attention to the over 300 million children worldwide who have never owned a pair of shoes," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "Barefoot Week allows Americans to personally participate in a nationwide call to action while reducing the strain on our landfills at the same time."

During this year's Barefoot Week, the charity will donate more than 325,000 pairs of new shoes to needy people in five cities: Miami (June 2), Chicago (June 3), Atlanta (June 4), New Orleans (June 5), and Flagstaff, Arizona (June 6) near the Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservations.

K.I.D.S. will work with local social service agencies in each of these cities to ensure that the shoe distributions are directed to those children most in need. The agencies partner with K.I.D.S. throughout the year to provide new items to children.

"The opportunity to work with Soles4Souls in addressing the needs of children throughout the country is a significant one for Kids in Distressed Situations," said Rick Schaub, K.I.D.S. Chairman. "The five cities that are being targeted have tremendous needs and providing footwear is critical in making their children functional," he said.

'Waste Not-Want Not' Honors Soles4Souls Founder

Waste Not-Want Not, an enterprise of 23rd Street Community Projects, announced that it is presenting its Humanitarian Award of 2008 to Wayne Elsey, the creator and founder Sole4Souls.

The Humanitarian award will be presented during a unique Soles4Souls shoe collection event to be held on June 2nd, 2008 at Eneslow, the Foot Comfort Center of New York, in collaboration with other major footwear vendors such as The Clarks Companies, N.A. and Springboost. All attendees are requested to bring in one or more pairs of gently used or new shoes, for collection and distribution to needy "souls."

Robert S. Schwartz, President of Eneslow stated, "Over the years we have supported many causes and footwear charities. Soles4Souls is so unique and has such a high level of proven support for its mission of putting shoes on all who need them, that we highly support them and their founder Wayne Elsey."

An open invitation is extended to all to attend this special event on Monday, June 2nd 2008, at the Eneslow flagship store located at 470 Park Avenue South @ 32nd Street from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Admission: a minimum of one pair of gently worn shoes.

Each donor will receive a $10.00 discount coupon for a replacement set of new shoes, plus enable them to purchase raffles tickets that could provide them a free pair of shoes valued up to $475.00.

"I am very pleased to receive this Humanitarian Award from Waste Not-Want Not," stated Wayne Elsey. "I am very thankful for the dedicated staff at Soles4Souls and to the thousands of supporters who have donated to the cause."

Soles4Souls has designated June 1st - 7th, 2008 as National Barefoot Week with a nationwide campaign. Eneslow and corporate sponsors The Clarks Companies, N.A. and Springboost will be part of this special national event benefiting the needy and less fortunate.