Starting a Shoe Drive

How to Start a Shoe Drive - From Start to Finish
By Cam White

We have received numerous calls from school systems, corporations, churches, scout troops, civic organizations and neighborhood associations planning shoe drives for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake. We are absolutely delighted, but also a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of people planning shoe drives. Here is a guideline for planning a shoe drive.

Note: We are no longer accepting shoe drive donations for the Haitian earthquake . We have received an overwhelming response to our Haiti shoe drive from January 14-31, collecting almost 14 tons of shoes.

If you would like to continue collecting shoes for Soles4Souls and Project Haiti or other natural disasters, please follow the guidelines below and ship your shoes directly to Soles4Souls:

Soles4Souls Primary Warehouse Facility

Soles4Souls, Inc.
315 Airport Road
Roanoke, AL 36274

How to Coordinate A Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls

Develop a plan. Think the whole project through. A shoe drive is not just about cleaning shoes out of your closet. There are many other steps involved, including sorting, packaging materials, boxing and shipping costs. If you are going door-to-door in your neighborhood, how are you going to get the word out and how are you going to collect the shoes?
Start collecting shoes. Any new or gently worn shoes are appreciated, but there is a special need for work boots, hikers, athletic shoes and children's shoes. Work boots are essential for helping rebuild the shattered infrastructure of Haiti.
Ask for a cash or check donation when you collect shoes. This is very important. Shoes don't magically ship themselves. You will be responsible for the shipping and freight costs associated with your shoe drive. A guideline for donations is .40 cents per pound.
* If someone donates 2-5 pairs of shoes, ask for a donation of $2.00 to $5.00
* If someone donates a garbage bag weighing roughly 25 pounds, a $10.00 donation is more appropriate.
Collect boxes and packing materials. The shoes will need to be boxed and packed for shipping. You will want to choose a box that will fit about 15-20 pairs of loose, adult-size shoes. A medium-size, sturdy box will do just fine. Dimensions can vary, but an 18" x 18" x 18" box (or similar dimension) is perfect.
Supplies for packing. You will need some good packing tape and vinyl/latex gloves. You are handling used shoes, so it's not a bad idea to wear gloves, and you may wish to wear a mask. You may also want a few Sharpie pens to write on the boxes.
Start packing shoes. Pack the shoes tightly in matched pairs. It is not necessary to tie the shoes together. Keep a count of the number of pairs of shoes in each box, and write the final number of pairs on the outside of the box. Weigh the box on a scale and record the weight of the box. Each box, once packed and sealed sould have the number of pairs of shoes and the weight of the box clearly visible.
When you're done packing, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands. If you want to stop packing for a snack or sandwich, also make sure to wash your hands. You are dealing with worn shoes, so make sure to practice good sanitation habits.
Ship your shoes to Soles4Souls, using the address supplied above. If it's a small donation, UPS may be the best way to go. If it's a large donation (hundreds of pounds) try contacting a freight/trucking service, and ask for a charitable rate.
That's it. You have successfully completed a shoe drive from start to finish!

Soles4Souls Shoe Drive - Haiti Earthquake

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