Contact:
Katie Chubb, Soles4Souls Ambassador
608-829-2535, katie.chubb@madisonpodiatrists.com
Madison, Wisconsin (November 1, 2014) – Attention anyone with a closet: Those shoes you no longer want are desperately needed to fight the human tragedy of global poverty.
That’s the message being delivered by Associated Podiatrists, which has launched a drive to collect shoes to help the poor. Used and new shoes can be dropped off at either of our Madison West clinic (6510 Grand Teton Plaza, Suite 406) or our Madison East clinic (4237 Lien Rd, Suite A).
The shoes that Associated Podiatrists collects will be delivered to Soles4Souls, an international anti-poverty organization that monetizes used shoes and clothing to create sustainable jobs and fund direct relief efforts, including distribution of new shoes and clothing. Founded in 2007, the organization has distributed more than 22 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries.
“Associated Podiatrists 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 Katie Chubb, Marketing Assistant. “Associated Podiatrists 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 – which holds the highest rating from nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator — will convert every used pair of shoes collected from the community into a value-added social currency to achieve positive change, both humanitarian and economic. Most of the reusable shoes will be distributed to microenterprise programs that create jobs in Haiti and other poor nations. The resulting revenue will help fund the free distribution of new shoes in the U.S. and overseas. Among its relief programs, the organization has distributed over 50,000 new pairs of shoes to help Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
The connection between poverty and shoes is well documented. The World Bank estimates that approximately 400 million children worldwide – more than the entire U.S. population – live in pronounced poverty. Millions of these children will grow up never having had a pair of shoes, resulting in significant ramifications for their health and well being. Lacking proper footwear, countless children will not be able or permitted to attend school. And tens of millions of these poverty-stricken, barefoot boys and girls will be infected with soil-transmitted parasitic diseases like hookworm, causing lasting suffering and lifelong debilitation.
“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 Katie Chubb. “Give those to us, and know that you are taking a step to making the world a better place for all of us.”
Associated Podiatrists used shoe drive for Soles4Souls information
Between November 1st and January 1st, bring your used shoes of any kind to:
6510 Grand Teton Plaza, Suite 406 or 4237 Lien Rd, Suite A
For more information, please contact visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Associated Podiatrists1) or call 608-829-2535
About Associated Podiatrists, LLP
Since 1968, Associated Podiatrists, L.L.P. has been working with patients to provide the best podiatric care in the Madison area. Our board certified doctors’ experience in podiatry is coupled with genuine concern for their patients. Our staff is dedicated to your comfort and prompt attention. Our goal is to treat foot and ankle ailments and maintain healthy feet.
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Since it began, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 22 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Please visit www.soles4souls.org for more information.
