Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School community steps up to collect shoes for Souls4Soles

The entire Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School community is stepping up for families in developing countries by collecting gently used shoes for Souls4Soles Canada. A registered charitable organization, Soles4Souls provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world.

A shoe collection bin has been placed in the main entrance at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Students, staff and families are invited to donate to the campaign.

“Through this small act of kindness, we are contributing to the health and happiness of families around the world, while reducing the amount of waste in our landfills,” said Principal Pamela Potvin. “It’s a win-win for all, especially for humanity.”

She added: “We encourage everyone to donate what they can. Every pair counts.”

Shoes are delivered to countries such as Haiti and Honduras where women clean and sell them at markets. Profits from sales are used to purchase land, build homes, and provide food, clothing, medication, dental care and education for children.

One pair of shoes is the equivalent of five meals for a family, 20 pairs of shoes equals one year of shelter, and 30 pairs of shoes equates to a year of school. The continuous supply of high-quality, low-cost products through Souls4Soles provides a sustainable way for people to lift themselves, and their families, out of poverty.

At BioPed Sudbury, staff have been collecting shoes for years, and have even travelled to Haiti and Honduras to see the program in action. The goal for BioPed Footcare Clinics across Canada is to collect a million pairs of gently used shoes. To date, franchises have contributed 375,000 pairs of shoes to Souls4Soles.

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Media Contact:

Pamela Potvin, Principal, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School
Rainbow District School Board, 705-522-2320