The deadline has been extended once again—this time to Dec. 10—for the local shoe drive for Shoes for Souls, an organization that sends shoes around the world to those in need while at the same time contributing funds to the local organizations that collect those shoes.
A joint effort between the Stuart United Methodist Church youth group and the Patrick County Shooting Education Team, the drive’s original goal was 7,500 pairs of shoes. However, the group has received 8,375 pairs. Due to a scheduling error, Shoes for Souls must send a second truck to finish collecting the shoes, so the drive can continue until that truck arrives.
The two groups sponsoring the shoe drive were set to receive $3,000 for their 7,500 collected pairs of shoes. Now they will receive a larger donation thanks to the generosity of the local community, explained the drive’s organizer, Jane Cardwell.
The funds will be split, with $1,500 going to the Feed the Funnel program, a volunteer effort in which area youth pack 40,000 meals to distribute to area food banks; the Disaster Relief Food Ministry; and the Patrick County Food Bank.
The remainder will be used to defray entry fees for county students competing in shooting competitions and events.
Jane Cardwell said any kind of shoe will do: from boots and flip-flops to high heels and children’s athletics. The only caveat is the shoes can’t have holes. For pick-up, call (276) 694-7735 or (276) 692-7506.
Drop-off points are Lowes Foods, Blue Ridge Furniture, Main Street Cards and Gifts, Spring Drug, Stuart United Methodist Church, and the Old Town & Country building in Patrick Springs.
-Angela H. Hill
