Helping his local community, and other communities worldwide was a priority for Andrew Bellows. He wanted to make a bigger impact and help people who struggle to afford basic necessities, including some that most of us take for granted, such as shoes.
While many people are able to select from racks of shoes in their bedrooms, for those who have to wear one pair until they literally fall apart, are grateful to benefit from the program, Soles4Souls, which collects gently used shoes to redistribute to those in need.
Bellows, who is a member of the Tony Farr real estate group and RE/MAX House of Dreams family, decided to reach out to Soles4Souls in early April.
“I had heard about them through other businesses that host their donation bins,” Bellows said. “It had never crossed my mind how important shoes are for basic travel in not only America but countries everywhere. I was blinded by my own ignorance that 600 million people don’t own a single pair of shoes. I decided I wanted to make an impact on that. What better time to donate shoes? When you’re cleaning out your closet to move.”
Soles4Souls was founded in 2006 as a non-profit to help with disaster relief after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area.
The non-profit’s goal is to help people who are experiencing economic hardship and having trouble meeting basic needs, such as access to shoes and clothing, and allowing them to free up financial resources they can use for other needs. Plus, their aim is to protect the environment by helping people acquire gently used goods, rather than wasting these items in landfills.
Bellows is one of more than 1,800 Soles4Souls partners around the world.
“This project is just something I started to help others,” Bellows said. “With my team’s support, ‘The Tony Farr Real Estate Group’ support and Patty Farr allowing me to use the office, the agents were quick to help. The first two boxes filled up in about two weeks.”
People can drop off shoes at The RE/MAX House of Dreams office located at 303 Marshall Dr., Platte City. Shoes can also be dropped off at the team’s open houses or RE/MAX House of Dreams events. Bellows purchases the donation boxes from Soles4Souls for $6 plus tax and shipping. When the boxes are filled, he calls FEDEX and they pick up the boxes free of charge.
Soles4Souls takes those shoes and gives them out in all 50 states, plus 129 countries. Since 2006 they have provided 35 million pairs of shoes to people struggling with poverty.
The shoes that people want to donate should be gently worn. “Badly worn shoes with holes, or what I would call yard shoes are not preferred,” Bellows said.
Soles4Souls’ 4EveryKid initiative, partners with schools and shelters to get new shoes into the hands of kids who need them most. 4EveryKid provides new athletic shoes for children experiencing homelessness.
Homeless students say that shoes are one of their greatest needs. About 79 percent have an increase in physical activity after receiving new shoes. More than 30 percent reported missing sports and extracurricular activities at times because they lacked proper footwear. Students also said they felt more confident, accepted and valued with proper shoes.
Patty Farr recently hosted an annual Summer After Hours event June 22 to show appreciation to the community, where more shoes were collected.
More than 280 pairs of shoes have been collected locally, far more than the Bellow team’s original goal of collecting 200 pairs.
Community members are welcome to drop off shoes at RE/MAX House of Dreams. “We would love it if local residents would get involved and help Soles4Souls,” Bellows said. “I don’t think many people realize how important shoes are and how it impacts our lives, but specifically the lives of children. I want to make an impact that is going to make a difference in the lives of our children. One simple statistic stands out to me and it is: 92 percent of U.S. students who receive shoes through 4EveryKid increase regular school attendance and engagement after one year and two in three have improved grades.”