Their Mission:
Soles4Souls is a global non-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners. Then distributes those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator.
Soles 4 Souls does exactly what their name entails, they give shoes to those in need. Without a pair of shoes kids and adults are more susceptible for disease, cannot attend school, and many cannot go to work. Founded in 2004 it has worked hard by handing out clothes and shoes all around the world. The organization gathers clothes and a shoe in two ways, through company’s both her in the U.S. and in other countries and from people just like you and me. Churches, schools, civil organizations, faith based organizations, and individuals gather shoes and clothes to be donated directly to the Soles 4 Souls Organization.
“Soles4Souls typically sells the used shoes and clothing, as well as some new items allocated by manufacturers. These both private and non-profit companies are contracted to provide shipping, financing, inventory, training and other support to ultra-small businesses in countries like Haiti where there are virtually no jobs to generate personal income.”
Through the collection and selling of the shoes Soles 4 Souls is able to donate these items for those in need of them and help start self-sustaining jobs throughout the communities in need. “The sale of footwear and apparel to support micro-jobs also provides the majority of funding to sustain Soles4Souls operations and further expand its donations of new shoes and clothing.”
There are more ways to get involved with Soles4Souls, with Travel 4 Soles, Go Barefoot for Them, and Hope 4 Souls. Travel 4 Souls gives you the opportunity to see poverty first hand and put shoes on the feet of someone in need. Take a journey to help while experiencing a place you have never been before. Travel with them and you can experience Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. It is easy to travel with Sole4Souls too, you fundraise or pay for the trip, which is made into a payment plan and made affordable, and they take care of the rest.
“Our wish for you is a life-changing experience shaped by the merging of cultures, building relationships and simply helping others.”
Every fall, Soles4Souls holds their annual Go Barefoot for them campaign. You can sign up to sponsor or “go barefoot” for a specific child in need for a day. Those involved in the campaign will get a specific name of a child that they are helping and for a whole day they will put themselves in their shoes, which don’t exist. Not only does this provide help to the child but give them a chance to build awareness to those around them.
Giving a pair of shoes is not just that, it’s giving hope, love and a smile.
Find more about Soles4Souls at www.Soles4Souls.org and on…