About the Shoe Drive:
In 2022, KMB and community partners collected 6,600 pairs of shoes! Thank you to our 28 collecting organizations and many volunteers who helped us make this possible!
Our 2023 Shoe Drive program will run from March 1 to May 31, 2023. Individuals, businesses, churches, schools and other organizations across the Midlands are encouraged to help us collect used gently worn and new shoes of any style and size (including kids' shoes, athletic shoes, slippers, work boots, etc.) by dropping off shoes at one of the many collection locations or by hosting a shoe collection site.
To print and display our Shoe Drive poster, click here.
Why Participate?
This project...
- Helps us raise a little money to support our litter reduction, recycling and beautification efforts;
- Permanently keeps over 6,500 pairs of shoes out of our local landfills;
- Supports individuals who sell the shoes in developing countries and helps them to feed their families;
- Helps to provide good shoes to people in developing countries who cannot afford new ones.
Where to Drop Off Your Shoes
Chapin
- Cynthia Byrd's Residence, 125 Turkey Ridge Dr., Chapin, SC 29036 - Contact rememberingbrandon@yahoo.com before going.
Columbia
- Brockman Elementary School, 2245 Montclair Dr., Columbia, SC 29206 - contact sarah.burnham@richlandone.org before going.
Lexington
- Publix Super Market at Lexington Place, 100 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington, SC 29072
- Publix Super Market at Hendrix Crossing, 847 US-378, Lexington, SC 29072
Redbank
- Publix Super Market Lake Crossing, at 5441 Platt Springs Rd, Lexington, SC 29073
West Columbia
- Keep the Midlands Beautiful Office, 1305 Augusta Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169 - place shoes in the labeled dark green roll cart on the side porch
Do You Want to Serve As a Collection Site?
Many churches and businesses also collect them from their members and employees. If you would like to promote the Shoe Drive and serve as a shoe collection location, please contact: lblakeorr@kmbsc.org.
- KMB will supply you with signs, rubber bands and clear plastic bags. Click here for a PDF of our flyer.
- When ready, drop off your shoes at our office (at 1305 Augusta Rd., West Columbia).
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Due to our small staff size, we encourage businesses and organizations that collect shoes to bind the shoes together either at the laces or with a rubber band.
- After ensuring the shoes are properly paired and joined, it’s time to start packing them! Please put exactly 25 pairs of shoes in each bag.
- If you have less than 25 pairs of shoes in a bag, place a label on the bag that clearly states how many pairs of shoes are inside.
- After bagging your paired shoes, be sure to tie the bags to prevent spillage.
What Kind of Shoes Are Accepted?
We accept all styles and sizes of gently-worn, used (or new!) shoes during the Shoe Drive! Shoes should be clean and free of holes, with soles intact. As a general rule of thumb, if the shoes are not something you would lend to a friend or family member, it is not suitable for the Shoe Drive. Please ensure that they are in good, wearable condition. We do accept kids' shoes, athletic shoes, work boots, high heels, slippers, etc.
About Funds2Orgs:
We work with Funds2Orgs to send all of the shoes to developing countries. The core of the Funds2Orgs Group business model is shoe drive fundraisers. The other components are to provide an economic opportunity for micro-entrepreneurs in developing nations and to help the environment by repurposing shoes. The Funds2Orgs Group helps nonprofits raise money with creative fundraising ideas, without asking for money or selling anything.
We need your help!
We rely on our volunteers to make our programs a success. Please consider decorating a box or large tupperware and serving as a collection site. If you would like additional information, please email lblakeorr@kmbsc.org or call (803) 733-1139.
