Local Podiatrist Launches Drive to Collect Shoes

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Dr. Gauntt of Oregon Foot Care Centers, and the Oregon Podiatric Medical Association (OPMA) have launched a drive to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes that will be delivered to anti-poverty organization Soles4Souls.

“OPMA is supporting Soles4Souls because it is the definition of a social enterprise where solid business practices are used to create positive change in people’s lives,” said Dr. Gauntt. “Oregon Foot Care Centers is a strong supporter of Soles4Souls’ anti-poverty mission, and we hope to take a big step in providing the organization with the used shoes they require to keep making a difference for people in need.”

Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution based in Nashville, Tennessee, that collects new and used shoes and clothes. Since its founding in 2006, Soles4Souls has given more than 22 million pairs of shoes to 127 countries, and has distributed over 50,000 new pairs of shoes to Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The shoes that OPMA receives, will go to Soles4Souls and will be distributed to small business programs that create sustainable jobs in Haiti and other nations.

“The simple truth is that almost anyone with a closet has shoes they don’t wear, or an old pair that will just end up in a landfill,” said Dr. Gauntt. “Give those to us, and know that you are taking a step to making the world a better place for all of us.”

Bring your new or used shoes to 200 NE 4th Ave Hillsboro, OR 97012 or 410 Villa Road Newberg, OR 97132. For more information, contact Oregon Foot Care Centers 503- 648- 1713 (Hillsboro) 503-538-0466 (Newberg).

Homepage Photo Credit: Joe Hastings via Wikimedia Commons