Shoe Bank Canada’s 7th annual shoe drive kicks off next month.
“It’s a good time time to clean out your closets and donate your excess footwear,” said Jackie Nedelec, the Nelson representative for the charity.
”April is Shoe Drive month, and footwear is something most people don’t think much about, unless you don’t have any,” said Nedelec, adding, “Over a dozen drop off boxes are distributed around town and in out-lying areas. This worthy charity donates footwear locally, then B.C. wide and across Canada.” Any excess pairs will be going abroad.
Shoe Bank Canada asks that all donations be in pairs, clean and in decent shape with no holes.
“Donations are gratefully received from outside Nelson, including Balfour, Proctor, Harrop, Kaslo and New Denver. When everyone does a little, it really is a beautiful thing. There are many people experiencing poverty and hard times, so please give the “gift of shoes,” said Nedelec.
Drop off boxes are located at : Save On Foods, Vince DeVito Shoes, Shoes for the Soul, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Gaia Rising, Mark’s, Streetclothes Named Desire, Nelson Husky, Snow Pack, Proctor Store and Balfour Superette.
Shoe Bank Canada supports Transition House, Women’s Centre, Kid Sports, Cicada Place, Kootenay Kids, the Club House, Stepping Stones, Work B.C. Career Development, Bigby Place, and the Committee on Homelessness, with free winter boots for “Connect Day” held in November.
Shoe Bank Canada also holds “Pop-Up Free Footwear Give-Aways” to assist people in need that are not part of any organizations.